Derby County face Fulham in the Championship play-offs.
Derby County host Fulham in the Championship play-offs semi-final first leg this Friday and they will no doubt have the backing from at least ten Premier League clubs wishing them well.
The Rams managed to finalise their place in the top six in the final game of the season as they defeated Barnsley 4-1 at Pride Park, while Fulham had to settle for third place following their defeat to Birmingham City.
13 points separate the two sides in the table, but it is not a case of Premier League clubs hoping the supposed weaker side joins them in the top flight; their interest in the tie will revolve around several Fulham players.
The Cottagers boast a number of top quality players who have been linked with moves to the Premier League, and failure to gain promotion will certainly make it easier for top flight clubs to sign their prized assets.
Starting with 17-year-old sensation Ryan Sessegnon, a report in the Express listed Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool as top-end clubs taking an interest in him.
Sessegnon would probably benefit from remaining at Fulham for at least another year or two, but the west London club must be aware that failure to secure promotion will see them severely tested this summer.
Ryan Fredericks’s contract is set to expire this summer, therefore missing out on a return to the Premier League will probably result in the coveted right-back leaving for a top-flight club.
A recent report in the Sun claimed Crystal Palace had joined Everton, Arsenal and West Ham United in tracking the player, while the latter are also said to be keen on Frederick’s Fulham teammate Tom Cairney.
Cairney is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders outside the Premier League, and the Sun reports the Hammers will look to move for him should Slavisa Jokanovic’s men remain in the Championship.
Another player who could end his affiliation with Fulham this summer in the event of falling short is on-loan striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, with the Serb moving to Craven Cottage from Newcastle United in January.
Mitrovic has been a hit in west London under fellow Serbian Jokanovic, but it seems he will only stay if the club secures Premier League football as his excellent form is gaining interest from elsewhere.
Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers are said to be keen, with the Chronicle claiming that the Magpies are looking for a figure in the region of £20 million for his signature this summer.
Fulham are the favourites to ultimately win the play-offs, but there is a huge amount of pressure on them, and supporters will know that missing out again will likely see a quite brilliant team unfortunately broken up.
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