Brede Hangeland opens talks with Fulham

[DCHeather]

http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london ... um=twitter

BREDE Hangeland has opened talks with Fulham over a new deal at Craven Cottage.

The Chronicle can reveal the Norwegian centre-back is one of four players discussing fresh terms in SW6, along with skipper Danny Murphy, Andy Johnson and Clint Dempsey.

Hangeland, 30, has been a revelation at the club since his switch from FC Copenhagen four years ago.

The giant defender was rewarded with a contract extension in 2009, amid speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal, but he has now entered the final18 months of that deal.

However, boss Martin Jol has spoken to Hangeland about extending his stay at the Cottage.

He said: “At any club you want to keep your best players, and that is what we are trying to do.”

[Clevelandmo]

Very good news! Roy's best signing?

[jumpkutz]

This recent recurring theme begs the question...if they want to keep Schwarzer, Frei, Dempsey, Hangeland and whomever else have been the subject of recent contract speculation, who should they be looking to part ways with (besides AJ, of course)? Thoughts?

[nevzter]

Well here we go, to stir the pot:

Sell Schwarzer (Stockdale is there). Sell AJ (well, can't b/c he's out of contract). Sell Duff (as I grind my teeth, but probably for the best as Davies can be the veteran winger). Sell Etuhu. Sell Hughes (it's Senderos' job now). Sell Dempsey (if his year brings a 'I can't turn down' inflated value, it may be best for the club).

COYW

[AggieMatt]

I'll preface this by saying this is based on the first team roster listed on fulhamfc.com without knowing when players' contracts are up.

I still see that little weasel BHR on the roster, so that would be the first player I'd ship. I'd keep Duff and move Davies, even if Damien is a year older. Etuhu looks to be surplus.

In this 4-2-3-1 formation, AJ is actually pretty useful out wide and working the channel as one of the attack mids. I'd rather see him coming off the bench, but if you can re-sign him for the right price, he's still got value for us. Better than letting him go for free. Won't happen, but it wouldn't hurt my feelings if we moved Ruiz.

I'm not sold on Senderos and less so on a Senderos/Hangeland pairing. Ideally, I think you need someone pacier and more athletic to partner Brede, not clumsier and slower. Unfortunately, Hughes looks like he's just about past it. Grygera and Halliche look expendable. I'd love to see us upgrade rb which means you'd have to look at moving Baird or Kelly. Same with lb and moving JA Riise (assuming you keep Briggs as the backup as opposed to loaning him out).

As for Mark, it would depend on how much longer he plans on playing. If he's looking at hanging up the boots after next year, I'd keep him and let him go out Fulham. If he plans on playing beyond that, then I'd go ahead and move him and transition to Stockdale next season.

I would only move Dempsey and Dembele if the money was too much to pass up (15M+). And that's still probably too low for Dempsey. Do we know when we'll find out about whether we get to buy the option on Pog or not? If we have to buy another striker to replace him, then I'd be more inclined to sell either Dempsey or Dembele, depending on who I could bring in.

[DCHeather]

There is no option. Pog's contract comes to an end this summer. He will be free to sign with whoever offers him the most.

[jumpkutz]

Stockdale needs minutes, and from what I've seen, they should be for us, not out on loan again. If someone hasn't offered $20 mil for Demps by now, we should keep him as long as he's effective. Dembele's playing his way out of our budget for sure, even though he does appear to be a one footed player. They should take the money they gave Ruiz and split it to Moussa and Clint. Everybody else is expendable. Don't see them keeping Pavel.

[MisterF]

Stockdale needs minutes, and from what I've seen, they should be for us, not out on loan again. If someone hasn't offered $20 mil for Demps by now, we should keep him as long as he's effective. Dembele's playing his way out of our budget for sure, even though he does appear to be a one footed player. They should take the money they gave Ruiz and split it to Moussa and Clint. Everybody else is expendable. Don't see them keeping Pavel.

Gotta agree on on your points here. Money is much better spent on Dembele and Clint. Wish we could keep Pavel.

[DCHeather]

On a related note, here are some Jol comments I found interesting:

Fulham manager Martin Jol is prepared to sell his stars, as long as the price is right to allow the Dutchman to bring in the players he wants.

Brede Hangeland, Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey are apparently attracting interest and the leading clubs could make a bid for the trio.

"We have now got two or three players with a very good value and we will have to wait and see," said Jol.

"There is a lot of interest from other clubs in my players and that is why I have to try to use my background and experience to find younger players.

"For me, it is not a problem because I feel we have that philosophy, not like in Germany and Holland.

"They have a big party if they sell someone for 20million, but here it is different. If you sell a player here, everybody says you are a selling club, but I am used to that.

"I will always shake hands with them if they can go to the Chelseas, the Manchester Citys or the Manchester Uniteds or Arsenals of this world.

"It is not a problem for me. The only thing I dont like is if they say before the season starts that they want to play Champions League football, but that is another issue."

A little dig at a certain American?

[tim]

On a related note, here are some Jol comments I found interesting:

Fulham manager Martin Jol is prepared to sell his stars, as long as the price is right to allow the Dutchman to bring in the players he wants.

Brede Hangeland, Mousa Dembele and Clint Dempsey are apparently attracting interest and the leading clubs could make a bid for the trio.

"We have now got two or three players with a very good value and we will have to wait and see," said Jol.

"There is a lot of interest from other clubs in my players and that is why I have to try to use my background and experience to find younger players.

"For me, it is not a problem because I feel we have that philosophy, not like in Germany and Holland.

"They have a big party if they sell someone for 20million, but here it is different. If you sell a player here, everybody says you are a selling club, but I am used to that.

"I will always shake hands with them if they can go to the Chelseas, the Manchester Citys or the Manchester Uniteds or Arsenals of this world.

"It is not a problem for me. The only thing I dont like is if they say before the season starts that they want to play Champions League football, but that is another issue."

A little dig at a certain American?

Quite possibly. I can't imagine us selling both Dempsey and Dembele, but stranger things have happened. It seems odd that he would come out and say this, though, basically acknowledging that any player is fair game at the right price. It will be an interesting summer, to say the least.

[AggieMatt]

I'm getting the uneasy feeling that Jol is going to get us relegated in the next year or two. Right now, the only thing between us and the Championship is those 3 listed and our "veteran" players. He sounds like he's all too comfortable with the idea of letting both groups go. And while he may think identifying young talent isn't a problem for him, I see no evidence from his signings to inspire much confidence.

Hopefully this is just media fodder and not indicative of what's really in store.

[DCHeather]

I'm getting the uneasy feeling that Jol is going to get us relegated in the next year or two. Right now, the only thing between us and the Championship is those 3 listed and our "veteran" players. He sounds like he's all too comfortable with the idea of letting both groups go. And while he may think identifying young talent isn't a problem for him, I see no evidence from his signings to inspire much confidence.

Hopefully this is just media fodder and not indicative of what's really in store.

Agree with you, Aggie. Jol has been very frustrating, just when you think he gets it on what make Fulham successful, he throws a curve with starting Murphy on the bench. We'll need to replace Murphy eventually, but why now?