Fulham are flying in the Championship at the moment, but while there are a number of reasons to be optimistic at Craven Cottage right now, there’s also reason to be regretful.
Indeed, while Fulham have a fantastic squad at the moment that are dominating the second-tier. A number of their former academy products are shining at the very top level, and perhaps if the Whites had kept these young stars, they’d be flourishing in the Premier League.
With that in mind, we’re going to look at what Fulham’s starting Xi could have looked like if they’d kept all of their former youngsters.
GK: Marek Rodak
The only player in this team who seems to have a long-term future at Craven Cottage is Marek Rodak.
The Slovakian goalkeeper has done a fine job between the sticks for Fulham this term, and he could make the step up to be their number one in the Premier League.
RB: Djed Spence
Released by Fulham as a teenager, Djed Spence has been shining on loan at Nottingham Forest this season.
The full-back has put in some incredible performances in the FA Cup, and he’s even attracted interest from Bayern Munich.
CB: Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling has had a brilliant career since leaving Fulham.
The centre-half won a Premier League at Manchester United and was an England regular during the 2010s.
Smalling is now starring for Roma in Serie A.
CB: Dan Burn
Signed by Fulham at the age of 19, Burn never quite reached his potential at Craven Cottage.
However, he has since become a Premier League regular, shining at both Brighton and Newcastle, and there’s even been talk of the giant centre-half getting an England call-up.
LB: Omar Richards
Djed Spence may be linked to Bayern Munich, but Omar Richards is already making his mark over in Bavaria.
Released by Fulham at 15, this youngster has kicked on massively since leaving south west London, and his brilliant performances for Reading earned him a move to Bayern Munich last summer.
CM: Harvey Elliott
Harvey Elliott left Fulham on a free transfer at the age of 16, and it wasn’t long before he was snapped up by Liverpool.
At the age of just 18, the midfielder is already a regular for the Reds, and it looks as though he’ll be a star for years to come.
CM: Matt O’Riley
O’Riley was another who left Fulham on a free, and after shining in League One with MK Dons, he earned a move to Celtic where he’s hit the ground running.
O’Riley wasn’t given a chance at Fulham, but now he’s showing the Whites what they’ve been missing out on.
AM: Fabio Carvalho
Fabio Carvalho has been shining for Fulham this term, but sadly, it looks as though his long-term future may be at Liverpool alongside Elliott.
The midfielder very nearly joined the Reds in January, and Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he would be interested in a summer move when the youngster is available for free.
RW: Patrick Roberts
Once upon a time, Patrick Roberts looked like he’d be the next big thing in English football.
Sadly, his move to Manchester City didn’t work out, and now he’s playing at Sunderland.
Perhaps things would have been different if he’d stayed at Fulham.
ST: Moussa Dembele
Moussa Dembele has gone on to become a bona fide superstar since leaving Fulham.
The Frenchman has played for Lyon, Celtic and Atletico Madrid since departing Craven Cottage on a free, and he’s scored some massive goals in the Champions League.
LW: Ryan Sessegnon
Ryan Sessegnon was on track to become a Fulham legend before he departed for Tottenham in 2019.
The left-footer was the Whites’ top-scorer on their way to promotion under Slavisa Jokanovic, and while he’s playing on the wing in our team, he’s currently re-inventing himself as a wing-back under Antonio Conte’s tutelage.
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