One game in 29; Player in miserable debut season after Tottenham exit

Paulo Gazzaniga could hardly hide his excitement after completing a move from Tottenham Hotspur to Fulham in the summer of 2021.

Yes, swapping the London giants for Craven Cottage looked on paper like a backwards step given that Fulham had been relegated from the Premier League only a few weeks earlier.

But, after failing to oust France’s World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris during three seasons, Gazzaniga obviously felt that Marco Silva’s side could offer him something Tottenham could not – regular first-team football, week-in, week-out.

“Fulham is a great club. I love the challenge. I think this is an excellent opportunity for me,” explained the former Southampton stopper, upon joining the Cottagers on a free-transfer.

“When they spoke of the project here at Fulham the decision was easy. The Championship is a very strong league. I’m looking forward to getting started.”

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For the first few weeks, things were going to plan. Gazzaniga started every one of Fulham’s first 11 league matches under one-time Everton, Watford and Hull City boss Silva.

But then came that fateful October afternoon in Coventry.

No one in a Fulham shirt covered themselves in glory during as the title favourites were pummelled 4-1 by Mark Robins’ well-oiled machine but it was Gazzaniga’s reputation that took the most comprehensive beating.

What next for Paulo Gazzaniga?

Marek Rodak stole his place between the sticks during Fulham’s next outing and the 6ft 4ins Slovakian hasn’t looked back since.

Gazzaniga has now started just one of the club’s last 29 Championship games. That single appearance only came about, against Derby County late last year, because Rodak was unavailable due to injury.

And with reports linking Fulham with Burnley’s Nick Pope and former fans’ favourite Alphonse Areola, Gazzaniga may already be facing an uncertain future with just half of his two year deal remaining.

“I don’t have No 1,” Silva said in August, via The Athletic. “I have two (goalkeepers) at the same level, two fighting for the position.”

It’s a fight Rodak is winning quite comfortably.