Fulham sit ninth in the Premier League table as the top-flight hits pause for the World Cup in Qatar. Aleksandar Mitrovic also sits top of our Power Rankings at the mid-season point.
The Serbian has been sensational, when fit, to fire the Cottagers to a strong start to their campaign. Mitrovic has hit a staggering nine goals over his 12 appearances, having sat out fixtures with West Ham (foot) and both Manchester City and United (foot) due to injuries.
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His haul of nine goals is enough to rank joint-fourth in the Golden Boot race behind Erling Haaland (18), Harry Kane (12) and Ivan Toney (10). Only three other Fulham players have scored multiple goals so far this term. Bobby Decordova-Reid ranks second with just three.
Mitrovic is proving pivotal at Fulham to top our mid-season Power Rankings
Thanks heavily to Mitrovic’s output, Fulham have produced the seventh-best offence since returning to the Premier League. Marco Silva’s Championship title-holders have hit 24 as a club so far. But the Cottagers only rank 16th among the 20 sides for goals conceded on 26.
Fulham have also only taken five of a possible 21 points when Mitrovic has not scored. The goals the Serbia striker, who is due to meet Brazil, Switzerland and Cameroon at the World Cup, has scored have also directly led to 11 of the west London outfit’s 19 points this term.
Silva will hope Mitrovic does not now sustain another injury whilst on international duty in Qatar. Fulham return to Premier League action following the pause for the World Cup away at Crystal Palace come Boxing Day. The Cottagers host Southampton on December 31.
So, with the Premier League on pause as 32 nations battle at the World Cup, HITC Football has taken a fresh look at our Fulham Power Rankings from the first half of the campaign..
1. Aleksandar Mitrovic (+/-0): Silva would be lost without the Serbian
Silva would likely be lost without Mitrovic given the goals the Serbia star has scored so far this season. Hitting home nine times over 1,022 minutes from 12 Premier League matches also puts the 28-year-old within two goals of his top-flight personal-best of 11 in 2018/19.
2. Bernd Leno (NEW): Fulham struck gold by raiding Arsenal in August
Fulham struck gold when Silva raided Arsenal to sign Bernd Leno for just £8m in August. He has been superb between the sticks as the Cottagers try to avoid another relegation to the Championship. Even though the 30-year-old has only registered two clean sheets thus far.
Particularly against Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City, Leno has been among Fulham’s best performers. The German has come to the Cottagers’ rescue in several situations with a string of brilliant and important saves across his 13 appearances.
3. Joao Palhinha (-1): Leno’s form costs Silva’s £20m signing one spot
Leno’s form has cost Silva’s £20m summer arrival from Sporting Lisbon, Joao Palhinha, one place in our Fulham Power Rankings. The midfielder has impressed from the off at Craven Cottage with his brand of tough tackling as he regularly sets the tone in their engine room.
4. Andreas Pereira (+/-0): No Fulham player has more assists than his four
Andreas Pereira has added a strong set-piece threat to Silva’s squad since his £10m switch from Manchester United in July. The Brazilian has also influenced games from open play as he regularly finds pockets of space. All in, he has four assists and two goals after 15 games.
5. Antonee Robinson (+1): Fulham noticeably missed the American at left-back
Antonee Robinson missed one Premier League game on either side of the September break and Fulham noticeably missed the American. He has been an endless engine at left-back to push forward and get crosses into the box. But he also gets back and can shut wingers out.
6. Harrison Reed (-1): Silva will love his goals but not his defending
Silva will love the goals that Harrison Reed scored as Fulham edged Nottingham Forest 3-2 and Aston Villa 3-0. But the Portuguese will not love the defensive efforts the 27-year-old has produced in some games. Fulham have needed to rely on Palhinha to not be exposed.
7. Bobby Decordova-Reid (+1): The forward at full-back is proving a hit
After starting the season in a more offensive role, Decordova-Reid has continued to shine since moving to right-back. The 29-year-old took over the defensive role in October and is thriving through a raft of high-energy displays. But he has now received six yellow cards.
8. Tim Ream (-5): Errors have started to creep into the American’s game
Tim Ream has captained Fulham and played 1,348 minutes across their 15 Premier League games this season. But while his season started with such promise, the American has been prone to errors since the last break. Yet he remains as composed as ever when on the ball.
9. Neeskens Kebano (NEW): An injury in training comes as a cruel blow
Neeskens Kebano is set for a short stay in our Fulham Power Rankings. The 30-year-old has offered three assists in 12 Premier League games this term and has looked dangerous on the wings. But he will now miss several months after rupturing his Achilles in training.
10. Issa Diop (NEW): Silva has had to bide his time to see his move pay off
Issa Diop helped to shore up Silva’s backline in some of his outings since his £15m summer switch from West Ham. He took a bit of time to get up to speed after starting 10 games for the Irons last term. But the Frenchman is adding physicality and authority in recent weeks.
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