Fulham are back in the big time, yet like the last two times the Cottagers were promoted to the Premier League, many are expecting the west London side to go straight back down, yet their summer signings could change that.
Marco Silva has done excellently since taking over at Fulham last season, and the Portuguese manager could make a real impact on the club if he can keep the newly-promoted Championship side up in the top flight next campaign.
Indeed, signings are expected this summer for Fulham, yet unlike previous years after winning promotion to the Premier League, the Thameside club must be smart with who they recruit in the coming months.
Fulham have fallen into the trap of essentially changing the entire squad in their last two summer windows as a Premier League club, yet here are five players who could join the Cottagers and make a significant impact in keeping them up in England’s top division.
Neco Williams
Neco Williams joined Fulham on loan from Liverpool and was an immediate success in the English capital, and with reports indicating that Silva wants to sign the Wales international on a permanent deal, the Merseyside academy graduate could be a solid addition this summer.
Full of potential and already caught up with the club’s style of play under the Portuguese manager, Williams could flourish in the Premier League if Fulham make an effort to sign the 21-year-old Wrexham-born fullback this transfer window.
James Tarkowski
Another defender Fulham are reportedly interested in signing, James Tarkowski is one of the most in-demand Premier League free agents this summer after leaving Burnley following their relegation from the division, and the Cottagers could be an ideal destination.
Alongside Tosin Adarabioyo, Tarkowski could form a solid centre-back partnership with the 24-year-old Fulham star after his sensational season in the Championship, with the former Burnley titan an ideal defender to play alongside and to learn the ropes of the game.
Luka Milivojevic
Luka Milivojevic has been an incredible servant for Crystal Palace, with the Serbian international captaining the Eagles for some time, yet according to reports, Fulham are now interested in signing the 31-year-old midfield general.
Premier League quality in midfield mixed with the balance from current members of the squad is a good bet on staying up in the division, and given Milivojevic’s experience for Palace and on an international level, the midfielder could be perfect to add some steel to the centre of the park for Fulham.
Manor Solomon
Manor Solomon’s ongoing transfer saga with Fulham seems to have no end, with the deal seemingly flip-flopping from ‘it’s happening’ to ‘it’s off’ more times than you can count, yet if the Cottagers are to stay up in the Premier League, the Israeli international would be a great addition.
With the likes of Arsenal also interested in the attacker, landing the Shakhtar Donetsk winger would boost Fulham’s odds of survival by a considerable margin, and at just 22, Solomon could be a star for the future for Silva’s side.
Fabio Carvalho
After a breakthrough season with Fulham, Fabio Carvalho has already been announced as a new signing for Liverpool. Though given the Reds’ incredible squad depth, the teenage talent could easily return to west London for the season on loan and continue his development with his boyhood club.
The 19-year-old was key to Fulham’s title-winning season last term, and under Silva, Carvalho already has a manager who knows how to get the best out of the midfielder, who could shine in the Premier League for Fulham should he return on loan to Craven Cottage.
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