Fulham are a Premier League outfit again after winning the Championship, so Marco Silva should now strengthen his squad this summer by signing these former Cottagers players.
The Craven Cottage natives sealed their immediate return to the top-flight this term after sweeping the second-tier title. Silva led the west London side to the most wins with 27, the second-fewest defeats with 10 and the runaway best offensive haul with 106 goals scored.
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But promotion into the Premier League as Championship play-off winners two seasons ago did not see Fulham cement their seat at the top-flight table. Instead, they crashed back to the second-tier under Scott Parker, as five wins in 38 games left them 11 points off safety.
Parker had overseen a number of transfers after Fulham sealed promotion in the summer market of 2020. Of the 12 to arrive in west London that window, six helped Silva to secure Fulham’s Premier League return this term, but only three had leading roles in the title win.
One of those Parker had on loan could now serve a purpose at Craven Cottage once again next season, though. So, what five former Fulham players should Silva now sign to improve the ranks in west London with the aim of avoiding a third relegation in just five campaigns?
Fulham should eye new transfer for former loan player Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea
Fulham should now eye a new transfer for Parker’s former loan player Ruben Loftus-Cheek of Chelsea to improve Silva’s ranks. The midfielder switched west London sides for a term in 2020/21, during which Parker hailed the 26-year-old’s impact in matches under his lead.
“His self-belief has to be there,” Parker said, via quotes by FourFourTwo, in February 2021. “He’s playing in the best league in the world and, at times, is unplayable in the best league in the world, against teams and against players who are world-class.”
Loftus-Cheek made 31 Premier League appearances during his time at Fulham and started in 22 games. Yet the 10-cap England international returned to Chelsea only to play in 23 of 36 so far and has opened just 13. Even though he has displayed inch-perfect passing there.
With Thomas Tuchel rarely showing faith in what the 6 ft 3 dynamo gives, Silva may have a chance to get Loftus-Cheek back to Fulham. He enters the final two years of his contract in June, so will surely want regular game time having also not played for England since 2018.
Fulham should explore signing former player Sessegnon on loan from Tottenham
Ryan Sessegnon left Fulham for Tottenham Hotspur in August 2019 in a £25m deal, which can reach £30m after add-ons. The full-back was just 19 when he moved to north London, but nears his 22nd birthday on May 18 having enjoyed 31 appearances in all competitions.
Just 19 of his outings for Spurs have also come in the top-flight, with 13 so far this season. Of those, he has opened 11 after forging his way to the front of Antonio Conte’s pecking since January. But the Italian will be in the market for a new option in the role this year.
The Evening Standard report Tottenham are open to selling Sergio Reguilon and will listen to offers. His departure would likely see Conte seek a new first-choice, which would leave Sessegnon once again out of favour and potentially available for Fulham to welcome back.
Tottenham would be naive to let Sessegnon’s increasingly stronger displays go to waste by not loaning the former Fulham player out. Regular game time in recent weeks has seen the England U21 international find his confidence to show he can give a presence at both ends.
Fulham should strike with former player Fredericks now set for West Ham exit
Silva could improve his right-back options this summer should Fulham strive to sign former player Ryan Fredericks. The defender will leave West Ham United at the end of the season when the four-year contract he agreed after leaving Craven Cottage for free lapses in June.
The Hammers have deemed Fredericks to be surplus to requirements for months and had sought to sell him in January. That’s according to football.london, who reported in January that the £40k-a-week full-back had no future with the Irons as he had fell to third-choice.
Frederick’s reserve status at the London Stadium has ensured boss David Moyes has rarely opted to field the 29-year-old. Across West Ham’s 36 Premier League games this season so far, the Potters Bar-born defender has only featured in seven and has started in just three.
Silva could scupper Newcastle plans by raiding Aston Villa for Targett
Silva could scupper Newcastle United’s plans for the summer transfer window should he request Fulham sign their former player Matt Targett from Aston Villa to offer an option at Craven Cottage again, having spent the second half of this term on loan with the Magpies.
Targett enjoyed a similar short-term switch to west London in the January 2018 market to leave Southampton. He later joined the Villans in 2019 for an initial £11.5m, but the £25m January arrival of Lucas Digne saw Targett fall out of favour with new boss Steven Gerrard.
Newcastle saw Digne’s winter switch as a chance to sign Targett and hold a £15m option to now buy him, per Chronicle Live. Yet 90min recently reported Leeds United, Leicester City and Wolves are interested in Targett should the 26-year-old not make a permanent move.
Fulham should throw their hat into the ring to sign their former player, too, if Targett does become available again. He has impressed with a real presence at left-back, offering plenty going forward, defending and at set-pieces to merit Eddie Howe hailing him as ‘fantastic’.
Fulham should rival Arsenal to sign former player Dembele, now of Lyon
Fulham should rival Arsenal to sign their former player Moussa Dembele, now of Lyon, to support Aleksandar Mitrovic next season. The striker took the Championship by storm this term with 43 goals in 44 games, but the Serbian struggled in the Premier League last time.
Mitrovic only managed to score three goals across 27 top-flight games during the 2020/21 campaign and also only started 13. Silva will be well-aware of Fulham’s need to add extra firepower this summer. So, a Craven Cottage return for Dembele could be one to explore.
The forward left west London to join Celtic for free in June 2016 at the end of his contract. His rise at Parkhead then led to a £20m move to Lyon in August 2018, where the 25-year-old only has a year on his contract, despite a 19-goal Ligue 1 term from 28 games so far.
Les Gones’ vice-captain has also only started 23 games, yet Arsenal are interested in Lyon striker Dembele’s transfer, per Foot Mercato. The Gunners and Manchester United have scouted the centre-forward multiple times this term as they now explore attacking deals.
Lyon will likely want to sell Dembele this year unless he signs a new contract. So, if moves to either Arsenal or Manchester United fail to materialise, Fulham should seek to sign their former player and provide him with a chance to now prove himself in the Premier League.
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