Fulham have been one of the Premier League’s surprise packages so far this season.
Indeed, the Whites were largely tipped for a relegation battle before the start of the season, but they currently sit in sixth place after seven games, and, to be honest, they could be much higher.
If Aleksandar Mitrovic had netted his penalty against Wolves and Fulham had a bit more luck against Liverpool on the opening day, they could easily have been in the top four, and based on their performances so far, they’d be good value for it.
But who have been Fulham’s top performers this season? We’re going to have a go at creating a Power Ranking of the Cottagers’ eight best players so far this term.
1. Aleksandar Mitrovic
It’s predictable, but it’s right.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is silencing every single doubter he’s ever had this season. He’s the second-highest goalscorer in the Premier League so far, while his game has evolved to be about so much more than goalscoring.
He was playing full-back sometimes against Brighton as his defensive workrate shined through, while he’s as good a creator as any number 10, often dropping deep and playing searching through-balls for advancing wingers.
Mitrovic is not only the best player in this Fulham team so far, he’s been one of the best players in the Premier League this season.
2. Joao Palhinha
Eyebrows were raised when Fulham managed to nab Joao Palhinha this summer.
£18m for a Champions League player courted by the likes of Tottenham and Wolves in the past, surely something had to be wrong with Palhinha if he was joining Fulham?
Many expected Palhinha to be another Jean Michael Seri or Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, arriving with a big reputation only to flop, but that couldn’t be any further from the truth.
The toughest tackler in the league and a scorer of two very important goals, Palhinha has been a revelation at Craven Cottage so far.
3. Tim Ream
Who expected this from Tim Ream?
With all due respect to the American, he was embarrassingly bad in each of his last two Premier League campaigns, but this time around he’s looked every bit a top-flight defender.
Be it at centre-back or recently at left-back, Ream is always the most composed player in the Fulham team, and if he were 10 years younger we’re sure that some top clubs would be looking at him.
A true Marco Silva success story, Ream has been transformed under the Fulham manager.
4. Andreas Pereira
Another player who had his doubters heading into this season, Andreas Pereira has been electric since joining Fulham.
Yes, he’s still waiting for his first goal, but his incredible workrate and delivery from corners have been vital in Fulham’s success so far this term.
Playing more as a second-striker than a midfielder, Pereira has taken to life in west London like a duck to water.
5. Harrison Reed
The most reliable Fulham player of the past five years, Harrison Reed has barely put a foot wrong since joining from Southampton.
Reed has taken up something of an unconventional midfield role this season that often sees him drift out to the right wing, but his tireless running and intelligent work off the ball make him an invaluable cog in this Fulham machine – and on top of that he’s finally scored his first goal.
6. Antonee Robinson
Injured for Fulham’s last two games, the Milton Keynes-born US international has been electric whenever he’s appeared for Fulham this term.
He’s pocketed both Mo Salah and Bukayo Saka already this campaign, while his pace is vital for Fulham and their ability to alleviate pressure and get forward quickly.
His delivery could do with some work, but there’s no doubting that Jedi has been vital for Fulham this term.
7. Kenny Tete
Somehow, Kenny Tete lost his place to Neco Williams in the Championship last season, but he’s shown this season so far why he has a number of Netherlands caps to his name.
Tete may have three assists already this season, but it’s his defensive work that has been the most impressive – often playing as a third centre-back when Robinson goes on his marauding forward runs.
8. Bobby Decordova-Reid
Bobby Decordova-Reid probably wasn’t expecting to be a key player for Fulham this season with the likes of Harry Wilson, Manor Solomon, Dan James and Willian in the squad, but a spate of injuries has seen him become a regular starter in the Premier League once again.
An engine that never runs out of fuel, Decordova-Reid’s intelligent runs in behind are enough to bamboozle any defender, and while he could do with some finetuning on the ball, he’s once again showing why he was Fulham’s top-scorer during their last Premier League campaign.
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