Stafylidis enjoying Fulham life

Felix Magath recently made what seems to be a shrewd signing in bringing in Konstantinos Stafylidis from Bayer Leverkusen, and after playing at Fir Park on Saturday he told Fulham's website he is enjoying his new team.

"I'm very happy to be here at Fulham,I only joined up with the team last week, so it's early days. But it's been really good so far, and it's been great to be involved so quickly."

Stafylidis was among the scores in Fulham's 2-0 win at Motherwell and after providing an assist to Dembele earlier in the week he looks to be a promising asset to Felix Magath and Fulham.

The 20 year old signs as fellow Greek Giorgios Karagounis departs from the club and the full back expressed his admiration. He said "Giorgios is a legend in Greece" and he hopes he can replicate his success.

He also added how he sees similarities between the German game and the English game, he added "I think there are similarities between German and English football and, as a result, I'm confident that I can make the transition. Both are physical, and played at a fast pace. Of course, the Manager is German – as are some of the coaches – so it makes it a bit easier."

The Greek full back was one of the stand out players in the under 19s championships meaning Bayer Leverkusen had to hurry to secure his services. The 20 year old left PAOK at a young age but he seems to be settling into English life well.


http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/stafylidis-enjoying-fulham-life/?

 
Dyche - market has been blown open

As Clarets boss Sean Dyche looks to add to his squad ahead of the start of the Premier League, he feels the transfer of striker Ross McCormack has affectedthe transfer market.

McCormack joined relegated Fulham for £11.5m from Championship rivals Leeds United, and the size of the fee has bumped up the asking price for players with similar pedigree.

Burnley have had an offer turned down for Watford frontman Troy Deeney, thought to be between £5-6m, and the likely asking price could price the Clarets out of the race for his signature.

Dyche said ahead of the squad's flight to Austria yesterday: "I think it's blown the market open. That's a real surprise - not because he's not a good player, because he is a good player, but I think that's one that's really probably caught everyone unawares.

"I'm surprised by the level of the number, but there is an advert for teams coming out of the Premier League who are still cash strong and are willing to go out and spend it.

"It's a different dynamic, those clubs are used to spending vast amounts of money.

"For us we've been coming back and trimming and making sure the club is running efficiently.

"It's a different mindset with those big numbers.

"But it is what it is, it is the market."

Burnley have spent in the region of £2m on five new signings - Michael Kightly, Marvin Sordell, Matt Gilks, Matt Taylor and Steven Reid, and Dyche insists the club have to be careful how they spend their Premier League millions: "The good thing last year of having no money is that you are in a certain pool. We're still only in a certain pool, because it's fair to say we can't buy some of the players that Manchester City and Liverpool will be after .

"But we have got some money so it's how and where that money goes, what kind of players, who fits the bill, who fits the club and the team.

"It's kind of similar, but it is different because we've got more financial leeway.

"It's been trying but it's been a positive experience so far and there's more to come.

"We're new to it and haven't got the big super club backer, so we still have to be flexible but careful. We still have to work within certain guidelines but they've loosened."


http://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/burnley-fc/latest-news/dyche-market-has-been-blown-open-1-6728169

 
Away Days: Charlton Athletic

Every morning for 23 days we'll be providing a bite-size profile of our upcoming opposition in the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship season. Next up is Charlton Athletic.


Date: Tuesday 7th April (7.45pm)

Recent history: For six years, Charlton Athletic were considered a stable top-flight team, but their Premier League tenure came to an end in 2007 when they finished 19th. Two years later they found themselves another division down the football ladder where they spent three seasons before winning the League One title in 2012. A solid debut season back in the Championship followed as they secured ninth spot, although 2013/14 was considerably hairier as they flirted with the drop only for a late surge to carry them to safety.

The manager: Bob Peeters, appointed May 2014

Player to watch: Chris Solly, defender

Marathonbet odds for the title: 40/1

Head-to-head record: Fulham 19, Charlton 17, Draw 18

Previous meeting: Fulham 4-0 Charlton (Clint Dempsey 3, Damien Duff) FA Cup, January 2012

By train: London Cannon Street – Charlton (approx. 20 minutes)

Five who played for both: Darren Bent, Danny Murphy, Paul Konchesky, Claus Jensen, Mark Hudson



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/15/away-days-charlton-athletic?

 
Keen To Progress

Kevin Keen is looking to continue Fulham's recent success at Academy level following his appointment as the Club's new Head of Coaching and Under-18 Manager.

Fulham's youngsters have enjoyed unprecedented success in recent years. Last season alone, the Under-18s reached the FA Youth Cup Final, whilst an incredible 10 youngsters made their First Team debuts.

It's a trend Keen is hoping to maintain after taking up his new role following previous coaching stints in the first-team set-ups at West Ham United, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.

The 47-year-old, who began his coaching career with West Ham's Under-17s, told Fulham's official website: "I'm really excited to be here. It's refreshing to be working with younger players again, players that are full of hope coming into a club on a full-time basis and trying to help them build their careers. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm also looking forward to working across the Academy supporting the coaches and players for the long term.

"The boys here are hungry and they want to do well and impress. They're a good group. Fulham's Academy has come on in leaps and bounds over the last four or five years, as shown by the players that got into the First Team last season. Hopefully over the next couple of years there will be some more that can make the breakthrough.

"It's a tough act to follow for me and my staff but also for this group of players. But together we're going to have a real go at it."

Amersham-born Keen's previous job in football was as joint-assistant head coach at West Brom. He left the Baggies last December following the departure of manager Steve Clarke.

"For the last four or five years I've worked with senior teams and I just felt it was time for me to get back to working with young players," Keen explained. "I don't think there's anything as rewarding in the game than helping youngsters over a period of seasons and seeing them grow and develop and hopefully get into the First Team.

"Trying to get players into a first team is a difficult job in the higher echelons of English football. But Fulham have done really well over the last few seasons and hopefully this Under-18s group I'm taking on can continue that development. There's a lot of hard work ahead but they know that if they're good enough and they've got the talent, the Manager Felix Magath will give them a chance."

A wily winger during a 20-year playing career, Keen is from the school of entertaining football.

"I like to see attacking football that's good to watch," he said. "But at the same time the players need to understand it's a team game so they need to defend, work hard and be aggressive. But above all they need to enjoy it - that's why we started playing football."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/15/keen-to-progress?

 
Palermo set to meet with Fulham's World Cup star

Fulham's Bryan Ruiz was one of the surprise stars of the World Cup and it seems his agent is ready to talk to Serie A side Palermo.

Costa Rica shocked everyone with their performances in Brazil and they had an unlikely hero in Bryan Ruiz, who has now emerged as a transfer target for several sides.

Ruiz signed for Fulham in 2011 from FC Twente but only managed eight goals in 68 appearances for the West London side.

In January, Fulham loaned the 28-year-old out to Dutch team PSV Eindhoven and very few fans at Craven Cottage complained at the decision.

But after scoring a crucial goal for Costa Rica against Italy and providing an assist in the last 16 win over Greece, Ruiz has seen his stock shoot up.

According to reports in Italy, Serie A new boys Palermo are one of several Italian clubs who would like to add Ruiz to their squad for next season and they are set to begin talks.

The Sicilian club have just returned to the top flight after a spell in Serie B and will be looking to find players who can keep them afloat next term.

It is suggested that the stumbling block could lie in the striker's wage bill, which is believed to be just under £1.2 million.

Palermo don't have the greatest financial resources at their disposal and wouldn't be able to match that sum, but talks may begin this week to try and find the basic terms of an agreement.

Ruiz's contract expires in June 2015 and it is possible that Palermo can take advantage of that fact as leverage for some kind of deal.


http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/07/15/palermo-set-to-meet-with-fulhams-world-cup-star/?

 
Fulham outcast Bryan Ruiz on Besiktas radar

Besiktas are interested in Fulham attacking midfielder Bryan Ruiz according to SporX.

Fulham signed Ruiz from Twente for £10 million however, the Costa Rican international failed to settle in and spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven as the Cottagers plummeted out of the Premier League.

Ruiz has a year left on his contract and is expected to leave Fulham this summer.

The 27-year-old has hinted that he wants a Premier League return.

"I want to show the English what I am and that what happened at Fulham is not real," Ruiz said.

However, Besiktas will hope to lure Ruiz with the prospect of a lucrative contract and Champions League football.

Ruiz was impressive for Costa Rica at the World Cup and scored the historic goal that knocked Italy out of the tournament.

The Black Eagles finished last season in third place and are managed by Slaven Bilic.


http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=6148

 
Dejagah Bid Received!
   
The re-shaping of our squad, for the coming season, could see the departure of one of the few Fulham players who participated in the 2014 World Cup Finals.

Gossip in the media this morning infers that Fulham Football Club are weighing up whether to allow Ashkan Dejagah to be sold to the Qatari side, Al-Arabia.

Apparently, Fulham have received a bid, said to be in the region of £5 million, for the Iranian international.

Whilst I`m of the belief that Fulham supporters would like the player to stay the inference given, in the media, is that Felix Magath has to weigh up whether he could strengthen his squad if another £5 million, from a possible sale, was poured into the transfer kitty!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=363582#ixzz37cGA0dib

 
Meet the newboys: How will Fulham and their relegated brethren fare
We reckon it's Cardiff rather than the Craven Cottage club who are best placed for glory

For the three teams who slide out of the Premier League each season, the pain of no longer being able to battle the best teams in the country is offset with their immediate favouritism to win the second tier the following year.

Welsh outfit Cardiff are the side given that particular honour this term, although Fulham and Norwich will fancy their chances of claiming some silverware of their own.

Here's a rundown of those chances:

Cardiff – 7/1 to win the Championship, 9/4 for promotion, 33/1 for relegation

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been hard at work to prepare the Bluebirds for a crack at winning their second Championship title in three years.

Adam Le Fondre has signed from Reading, while Javi Guerra, Federico Macheda and Kagisho Dikgacoi all represent astute pieces of summer transfer business too.

The greatest benefit the squad has is the recent memory of winning the league and if they can keep hold of some of their Premier League purchases, they have to be fancied as champions.

Fulham – 9/1 to win the Championship, 3/1 for promotion, 33/1 for relegation

Unlike Cardiff, the Cottagers had been an established top-flight side for 13 seasons when they fell through the trap door.

The substantial wage bill that comes with that status obviously had to be trimmed for the coming term, meaning nearly all of the west London side's experienced players have flown the nest.

A vaunted manager and the £11m acquisition of Ross McCormack, the Championship's leading scorer last season, should see them into the play-offs though.

Norwich – 10/1 to win the Championship, 10/3 for promotion, 33/1 for relegation

Canaries fans must hold the least hope of springing back into the top tier this season.

Their squad looked one of Championship level for much of their relegation campaign and, although it hasn't happened yet, most of their better players are surely expected to leave Carrow Road before the transfer window shuts.

A stint in step two awaits.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.


http://news.ladbrokes.com/en-gb/football/championship/meet-newboys-fulham-relegated-brethren-fare_204163.html

 
Ex-Fulham defender to feature for Millwall against Dartford

DEFENDER Matthew Briggs is set to play a trial match for Millwall in their pre-season friendly against Dartford tonight.

Briggs, a left back who can also operate in the centre of the back four, has linked up with the Lions squad in a bid to win a contract following his release by Fulham.

And the 23-year-old is expected to feature at Prices Park on Tuesday.

Manager Ian Holloway will field a different team in each half, with another trialist, former Everton winger Magaye Gueye, also likely to be involved.



http://www.newsatden.co.uk/37518-ex-fulham-defender-to-feature-for-millwall-against-dartford.html?

 
Voser's Ambition

Kay Voser may have swapped Champions League football for the Championship, but he did so with the aim of helping Fulham return to the Premier League.

The 27-year-old joined the Whites from FC Basel at the beginning of the month, with the player's versatility and poise expected to bring much to our back four this season.

In Switzerland, he was recognised as one of the best full-backs in the Swiss Super League, winning three consecutive titles with his former club.

"It was a tough decision to leave FC Basel, I'd been there for a little while and had been very successful," explained Kay to fulhamfc.com. "Up until this summer I'd only ever played in my home country, having first come through at Grasshopper Zurich.

"Winning three league titles and the Swiss Cup was fantastic, it was a great period for the team and for me also. It would have been easy to stay there, but I was keen to try a new challenge, and the task here at Fulham is exciting.


"It has always been a dream to play in England, I'm very thankful that it is now a reality. Okay, I had been playing in the Champions League last season, and could well have done so again this season. But the move to Fulham felt right.

"I want to help the Club get back to the top division; Premier League football is our ambition. I'm sure that I will develop as a player and as a person also. It will be interesting to see how things unfold."

Appearing in all three of our pre-season fixtures so far, Voser has provided width and direction down Fulham's right flank. While showing an impressive capacity to close an opponent down and to snuff out danger, he's also demonstrated a keen willingness to join the attack.

"That's the way the Manager Felix Magath wants us to play," he said. "When we have talked, I've recognised that desire in his instructions. I can defend but, at the same time, I'm confident with the ball at my feet or driving on and helping out at the other end.

"I'm quite fast and have quick movement, so that allows me to get down the side and get crosses into the opposition box. I can play at right-back or on the left, I'm just happy to be out on the pitch.

"I like to think that I have a lot to offer the team and I'm looking forward to showing what I can do. I already feel settled here; the players and staff have all been very supportive. I'm just enjoying being a Fulham player."

With the start of the 2014/15 Championship season a little more than just three weeks away, Voser is also looking forward to running out at Craven Cottage as the Whites aim to make it a campaign to remember.

"It's going to be tough, make no mistake," explained Kay. "But I think we have a very good chance. There's a lot of football to be played, 46 games in total. That's why we are working so hard now.

"We play Ipswich Town on the opening day, before playing Millwall at home the following weekend. It's always great to get back out there in front of the home supporters. Craven Cottage is an iconic ground and I can't wait to play there.

"I wasn't part of the FC Basel side that played there in the Europa League in 2009, that was just before my time with the club. But I've watched Fulham games on television and always thought it was a special place.

"It's quite a romantic ground, in the sense that it takes you back to a different era because of its history and location. It must be a great place to play.

"I'm still finding out about Fulham, but what is obvious is that it is a proper club. There are some very good players here, as there always has been over the years. There are a lot of new players that have come in, and now it is our chance to show what we can do."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/july/15/vosers-ambition?

 
Crawley Town trial ex-Bournemouth duo and former Fulham striker Collins John

CRAWLEY Town have two former AFC Bournemouth players, a former Kent League player and former Dutch international and Fulham striker Collins John on trial.

The Reds are playing Oakwood tonight and have four new trialists in addition to those who played against Billingshurst on Friday night.

The new trialists are:

Danny Childs - Played non-league football in Kent last season.

Lewis Lindsay - 20 - Defender - Released by AFC Bournemouth this summer.

Anthony Harris - 20 - Released by AFC Bournemouth this summer.

Collins John - 28 - Striker - Former Dutch international who made his name at Fulham in the Premier League. He scored 23 goals in 108 games for Fulham between 2004-08.



Read more: http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Crawley-Town-trial-ex-Bournemouth-duo-Fulham/story-21481874-detail/story.html?#ixzz37cHa3l2Y
Read more at http://www.crawleynews.co.uk/Crawley-Town-trial-ex-Bournemouth-duo-Fulham/story-21481874-detail/story.html?#W7yd1EQH8DFlr7kB.99

 
Paul Lambert believes ex-Arsenal and Fulham defender Senderos can prove his class at Villa
ASTON VILLA manager Paul Lambert has backed new boy Philippe Senderos to prove his critics wrong and show he is as good as his glittering CV.

The Switzerland international has joined on a free transfer from Valencia to make Villa his fourth Premier League club.

Despite having played in three World Cups and spent spells at the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan and Everton, the centre-back still arrives with a point to prove.

He was part of a Swiss squad dramatically edged out in the second round by eventual finalists Argentina - yet his only appearance came in a 5-2 drubbing by France.

Lambert, though, received a recommendation on the player from legendary coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, who managed the Swiss at the World Cup before his retirement.

Hitzfeld also managed Lambert at Borussia Dortmund when they won the Champions League in 1997.

And the Scot reckons Senderos will be a key addition to his back-line which conceded 66 goals last season.

Lambert said: "Philippe is a big-time player, he knows the game and exactly what it entails.

"He's played at three World Cups and there are not many players that can turn round and say that.

"I think he will be another brilliant acquisition for us.

"With the problems we did have at the back last year, then he's certainly going to add that experience in abundance.

"No two ways about it, he's another one who I think will do well for us."

Senderos won an FA Cup medal with Arsenal in 2005 and spent loan spells at AC Milan and Everton before joining Fulham in 2010 and heading to Valencia in January.

He will link up with former Cottagers team-mate Kieran Richardson, who arrived last week and is set to form part of a new-look Villa defence.

And the left-back insists Senderos has the perfect personality and pedigree to be a hit at Villa Park.

Richardson said: "Phil was at Fulham with me and he is a top professional. He's a good centre-half and I'm sure he'll give 100 per cent.

"He's played for Arsenal, AC Milan, Everton. His resume is very good and a player like that doesn't play for those clubs for no reason.

"He's a top, top guy, he's very good in the dressing room. He's a leader and he does talk a lot, which is good."



http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/389085/Paul-Lambert-believes-ex-Arsenal-and-Fulham-defender-Senderos-can-prove-his-class-at-Villa

 
Report: Matt Besler considering Fulham, Sunderland among 10 European options

According to MLSsoccer.com's Greg Seltzer, USMNT central defender Matt Besler is a very, very wanted man and could make his decision on his next club by Monday, if not sooner.

Seltzer reports that Besler has an offer on the table from recently-relegated Fulham, and is also being looked at by Sunderland, although the Premier League club has not yet extended an official offer.

In total, there are 10 clubs that Seltzer says are at "various levels of monitoring/interest/offer talks" with Besler, although he would only reveal a certain number of interested parties.

Seltzer's report said that one of the clubs is in the Bundesliga but would not reveal the club, however the report states the club is unlikely to pay the price tag. He did report a few days ago that the club is not Freiburg, as was reported in German paper Kicker. Besler's name is no longer mentioned in that report, but his name remains in the URL for the story, indicating that Kicker may have gone back on their report, which would support Seltzer's claim.

It's hinted that the other nine are in England, with "a clear majority" of them in the Premier League.  US teammate Jozy Altidore is currently on the books at Sunderland, who staged a late comeback last season to avoid relegation.

Sporting KC has been resigned to losing Besler for a while, especially after his stellar performance in the World Cup for the United States.

As far as price tag goes, Sporting Kansas City s reportedly looking for a club record transfer out fee, in the range of the $5 or $6 million that Eddie Johnson fetched when he transferred to Fulham in 2008.


While Seltzer says Besler's decision will be announced by Monday (what he calls a "hard deadline"), Twitter account @MLSTransfers says Besler's decision has already been made and we will "know more" by tomorrow.

There is always the option that Besler remains in Kansas City, as signing a new contract has always been hovering in the shadows of these rumors. It has been mentioned previously that the idea of becoming a career Sporting KC player does intrigue the defender.

For what it's worth, yours truly photographed Besler meeting Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan (on your left) during the final World Cup warmup game against Nigeria in Jacksonville. It was very clearly the first time they'd met.

That doesn't necessarily mean anything, considering Khan owns EverBank Field where the game is played and naturally he's going to want to talk to the US players that are playing on his field.

But clearly if Fulham already made an offer, Khan was obviously been impressed with the 27-year-old.

And it would seem he's not the only one.



http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/15/report-matt-besler-considering-fulham-sunderland-among-10-european-options/?

 
Transfer news: Fulham sign Estonian teenage striker Mattias Kait

Fulham have snapped up Estonian prospect Mattias Kait, Sky Sports can confirm.

The Cottagers have been tracking Kait since last summer, but they have only now been able to finalise a deal.

Kait is 16, and comes in from Estonian outfit Levadia, who have been paid an undisclosed fee for the striker.

Kait has agreed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage.



http://www1.skysports.com/transfer/news/12691/9379155/transfer-news-fulham-sign-estonian-teenage-striker-mattias-kait

 
Fulham want Carlton Cole

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is wanted by Championship club Fulham.

The 30-year-old striker signed a new 18-month contract with West Ham back in January but could be off to West London just six months later to join the Cottagers, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, according to KUMB sources.

Fulham are determined to make an instant return to the top flight and have already shelled out a Championship-record £11million fee for former Leeds striker and West Ham target Ross McCormack.

And manager Felix Magath is keen to pair the 27-year-old Scottish international with Cole, who made 30 appearances for West Ham last season scoring six times in the process.

The impending arrival of Enner Valencia - combined with that of Mauro Zarate back in May - has seen Cole, already considered a back-up to Andy Carroll slip further down the pecking order at the Boleyn Ground.



Read more at http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=127665#hm01LvPrbsooQ5E7.99

 
Zamora extends QPR stay

QPR striker Bobby Zamora has been rewarded for his Wembley heroics with a new one-year deal.

Zamora struck in the dying moment of the play-off final against Derby County to secure QPR's promotion to the Premier League.

His contract had expired at the end of June, but he has signed a 12-month extension which will see him remain at Loftus Road until the summer of 2015.

"I'm over the moon," Zamora told the club's official website.

"I've had an up and down time at QPR. I started off really well but then picked up a couple of injuries and didn't perform as well as I wanted to.

"But at the end of last year, after coming back following injury, I thought whenever I was called upon to do a job, I did it well."

Zamora joined QPR in January 2012 and has made 40 starts and 19 substitute appearances in all competitions for the club.

"The play-off final win was a great day – a great occasion for both my family and everyone connected to QPR to see and enjoy," Zamora added.

"I'm pleased to be fit again now with another chance to prove myself in the best league in the world.

"I still feel I've got something to prove to the fans – and I still think I've got it in me to do a great job, so I'm looking forward to doing that."



http://www.setanta.com/ie/zamora-extends-qpr-stay/?

Quote from: WhiteJC on July 16, 2014, 01:38:00 PM

Fulham want Carlton Cole

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole is wanted by Championship club Fulham.

The 30-year-old striker signed a new 18-month contract with West Ham back in January but could be off to West London just six months later to join the Cottagers, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season, according to KUMB sources.

Fulham are determined to make an instant return to the top flight and have already shelled out a Championship-record £11million fee for former Leeds striker and West Ham target Ross McCormack.

And manager Felix Magath is keen to pair the 27-year-old Scottish international with Cole, who made 30 appearances for West Ham last season scoring six times in the process.

The impending arrival of Enner Valencia - combined with that of Mauro Zarate back in May - has seen Cole, already considered a back-up to Andy Carroll slip further down the pecking order at the Boleyn Ground.



Read more at http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=127665#hm01LvPrbsooQ5E7.99

You cannot be serious...