January ‘23 Transfer Window

More space opened up as Chalobah goes to West Brom:
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/31/chalobah-joins-west-brom/

 

Fulham gets Lukic:
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/31/lukic-joins-fulham/

I'm really excited about this signing. Seems like a big step up from either of the midfielders who we said goodby to today (by the way, Onomah quickly ended up at PNE after being released)

 

I am excited about Lukic but feel we need another body in the midfield. I wouldn’t mind it if we brought Francois back from his loan.

Per Sky 45 min ago, Cedric wasn’t done yet. He’s 31, but we’ve seen the Magic Silva has performed on Willian, so I will withhold judgment.

The Jedi ManCity links have made me nervous. He’s an irreplaceable player here, at least for less than 30 million.

 

TransferMarkt has Francois' loan terminating today, even though the original deal was for the rest of the season. https://www.transfermarkt.us/tyrese-francois/profil/spieler/528888

No idea if this is reliable. Or is the Croatian season different?

Edit: Apparently Rutzler reported this a couple weeks ago. I missed that.

 

Fulham have brought in right back Cedric Soares on loan from Arsenal:
https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/february/01/cedric-arrives-on-loan/

Most of the transfer window has gone about as expected for Fulham, except that Shane Duffy has made a permanent move to Fulham rather than just being on loan. Duffy's loan had to end in order to make room for Soares, but I thought he would be shipped back to Brighton since he's barely seen playing time. However, that would have left Fulham a little thin at the back, so this was probably a good move. The contract can barely be considered "permanent" too since it is only for the rest of the season.

 

Solid work when considering that Solomon for all intents and purposes came in this window.

 

Targets acquired, no major departures. Not too shabby...
Welcome Cedric and Luka!

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/february/01/cedric-arrives-on-loan/

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2023/january/31/lukic-joins-fulham/

 

If I don't watch it, I might become a fan of Tony Khan. Kudos to the whole management team, including TK, for this window and the recruitment over the past year and a half.

Curiosity is eating me up about Kevin Mbabu. He came in with so much promise, and then...poof. This cannot be an on-field-only problem.

The next important job for Tony et al is keeping Jedi. I see an improved contract offer in his future. Same goes for Palhinha seeing as the vultures are already circling.

We're staying up, obviously (cue up party kazoos). Thus the summer window will be all about entrenching ourselves in the Prem. Where will we have needs?
- Striker, even if it may be hard to attract top quality when everyone knows they will sit behind Mitro if he's healthy.
- An upgrade on James (and I'm sad to say Wilson) on the wing.
- Permanent cover for both Jedi and Tete.
- An heir for Tim Ream. Diop and Tosin don't seem to have the leadership quality the position needs.
- Possibly an attacking midfielder -- Tom's knees aren't getting any younger.
- Possibly a goalkeeper -- Rodak is likely to want to leave for someplace he can get some minutes.

So, we could see movement all over the field. But I hope not too much movement to avoid disrupting the team. Still, Marco, Tony, and co, will be busy in the summer and we will get some shrewd signings announced a few minutes after the window closes. Also, I hope we look to the academy for some of these needs, especially at striker and CB -- we have good talent there -- and I'm intrigued by Godo on the wing.

By my math we have 24 senior players right now which leaves a spot for someone to be promoted from the academy or for Tyrese Francois. We'll find out in a few days.

It's so much fun to be a Fulham fan with Marco Silva at the helm.

 

@daddude7 Agree with all your points, but your most important point came in the last sentence..Keep Marco happy and in the fold. His career is similar to Roy’s in that he doesn’t stay in one place too long (sometimes the sack, sometime greener pastures).

 

The league has posted the squad lists for the second half of the season:
https://www.premierleague.com/news/3044867
We have indeed added back Tyrese Francois. The only surprise for me is that we didn’t move Mbabu.
I am a Francois fan and hope he gets some minutes this season.