Stats: How will Kasami’s departure affect Fulham?

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Pajtim Kasami has left Fulham for Olympiakos. How will the Cottagers cope without the midfielder?

The 22-year-old has signed a three-year-deal with the Greek side, where he will swap the Championship for Champions League football.

The Swiss is a highly rated young player who, at 22, potentially has his best years of ahead of him.

But is there life for Fulham after Kasami?

As Opta stats show, Kasami scored three times for the Cottagers last season, only bettered by five team-mates in what was a low-scoring campaign for the west London side.

The 22-year-old also won 30 dribbles, the second-highest tally of any Fulham player, while making 11 accurate crosses and 169 successful final-third passes.

Kasami’s absence will likely be felt, then, in a side whose immediate target is to gain promotion straight back from the Championship to the Premier League.

At the same time, though, Kasami’s stats show that the Swiss is far from irreplaceable. Notably, Kasami didn’t register a single assist in 19 appearances, while Ashkan Dejagah made a much more significant contribution despite playing seven less games.

Felix Magath, meanwhile, has brought in the likes of Ross McCormack and Adam Taggart to bolster his front line, with Kostas Mitroglou and Bryan Ruiz also waiting in the wings should the club decide to keep them.

Looking at the overall picture, therefore, Kasami brought youth and flair to Craven Cottage last term – but the club are wise to concentrate on other squad members who could play a more important role next season.

And at least the young Swiss left this parting gift for Fulham a few months in advance: