2021/22 Championship Roster Predictions

Who will leave? Who will stay? Who will come in? U23 and U18 promotions? Very curious about everyone's thoughts.

 

Just to add to the discussion, here is a list of players who were with Fulham on loan and won't be returning, players who are at the end of their contract, and players who are still under contract:

Loaned Players

• Ademola Lookman
• Alphonse Areola
• Joachim Andersen
• Josh Maja
• Mario Lemina
• Ola Aina
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Players at End of Contract (some may have extension clauses available)

• Aboubakar Kamara
• Cyrus Christie
• Fabri
• Kevin McDonald
• Marcus Bettinelli
• Tim Ream
• Timmy Abraham

Players Under Contract

• Aleksandar Mitrovic (2024)
• Alfie Mawson (2022)
• André Zambo Anguissa (2023)
• Anthony Knockaert (2023)
• Antonee Robinson (2024)
• Bobby Reid (2023)
• Denis Odoi (2022)
• Harrison Reed (2024)
• Ivan Cavaleiro (2024)
• Jean Michaël Seri (2022)
• Joe Bryan (2023)
• Josh Onomah (2023)
• Kenny Tete (2024)
• Marek Rodak (2024)
• Maxime Le Marchand (2022)
• Michael Hector (2022)
• Neeskens Kebano (2022)
• Stefan Johansen (2022)
• Steven Sessegnon (2022)
• Terence Kongolo (2024)
• Tom Cairney (2024)
• Tosin Adarabioyo (2023)

Of the players still under contract I think the only ones certain not to play next year are Anguissa and Seri.

Rodak can certainly play in the Championship, so I imagine he's set as the goal keeper.

Unlike in 2018-19 when Fulham gave up a league high 81 goals, this season's defense has been okay just giving up 45 goals so far. Areola and Anderson were key components that Fulham won't have any longer, but the remaining defensive group could give Fulham the best back line it has had in the Championship. I doubt Fulham will hold onto Tim Ream so we'll likely see Tosin, Hector, and Kongolo as the initial choices at center back. I'm a little nervous about both Hector and Kongolo, but I think one of them should work. At left back Fulham looks good with Robinson and Bryan as options. Tete can get the start at right back with Odoi and/or Sessegnon as a backup. If Mawson can stay healthy he can be an adequate substitute. I hope Le Marchand is shown the door.

Harrison Reed was probably my favorite signed Fulham player this past season and he should anchor the defensive midfield. I'd like to see Stefan Johansen back with Fulham since I think he's a great player for the Championship level.

The rest of the mid-field I'm a little unsure about. I hope Cairney can get healthy and return, but that is a question mark. I'm still not sure about Onomah and I know very little about the younger players like Carvalho. I think Fulham will need some additional help here.

Up front it feels like there is a lot of dead weight. I don't care for Knockaert or Cavaleiro, but I have to guess that at least one of them will stick around. I'd go for all new wingers - ideally something to replicate the speed and power combination that Mitrovic and Sessegnon had together a couple years ago. Bobby DeCordova-Reid is still a question mark for me, but I wouldn't object to keeping him around. If Mitrovic leaves (apparently he doesn't want to stay if Parker does) then Fulham is just about entirely rebuilding the front line, which given the results this past season is probably okay.

It seems like the further up the pitch you go, the more uncertain things are for Fulham.

 

@MicahMan is right. We will and should rebuild the offensive part of the roster. Alas, baby Khan will be in charge of recruiting. I’m not optimistic about that. And it also seems like the brass didn’t appreciate some of the comments Parker had made about them. As vindictive as Tony is (see his comments on Ryan Sessegnon), that doesn’t bode well for Parker staying, either.

 

I agree that Anguissa was one of our best players. He performed much better than two years ago when I thought he was worthless. I just don't think Fulham can afford to have him in the Championship so I expect he'll be loaned out again. If he was willing to play in the Championship, and Fulham was willing to pay his wages, I think that'd be great - I just don't expect it to happen.

 

I'd like Anguissa to stay, but as @MicahMan says, he's likely to find a top-flight spot somewhere else.

 

Here's my two cents on who stays and who goes.

All our loanees all go back to their clubs.

GK - Rodak stays and everyone else goes.

Defense - I expect Tete and Le Marchand to find new clubs. I also think there is a chance Robinson moves on to greener pastures. Given how little we paid to get him, I think they might try to cash in early. I think Ream will get another 1 year contract. I also expect he will be the 1st signing for the new MLS team in St. Louis after that contract runs out. I'd like to see Christie stick around for another year as well. I think he's a decent championship defender.

Midfield - If they get the right offer Anguissa will go. If not he will be loaned again. I see Seri and Kebano leaving as well.

Forwards - I wish Knockaert would go, but I just don't see it happening. AK47 will head back to France as well. As for Mitrovic, I'm torn. He will score goals. He'll probably put in at least 20, but if somebody makes a good offer, I think you got to take it. He's a good player, but you just can't build your club around him. I guess the question is what's better: having a great championship striker (who can't cut it in the EPL) or somebody new who might be that something special in both leagues? Does that player exist? I thought he did before and his name with Mitrovic, but I was wrong.

 

I wouldn't begin to hazard a guess with Tony Khan in charge. One of the biggest problems we had this season was the late acquisition of so many players that ended up with the bulk of the minutes on the pitch. Getting the players Scott (or whoever the gaffer is) into training early...like, before the season starts, would be nice. But, as I've said before, Tony runs the club like a real life rotoworld, fantasy team, except it's not fantasy, it's reality.

 

Given the dearth of goals this season, I'd think anybody that's considered an attacker shouldn't sign a long term lease.
COYW

 

Correct. And Papa won't do anything about it. Just look at Jax. One playoff appearance in a decade, and baby Khan still runs their strategy. I miss Mohamed Al-Fayed so so much.

 

Just heard on the Fulhamish podcast that Ream signed an extension last off-season and is still under contract through next season.

 

Good news about Ream, model professional. I’m guessing as @stlouisbrad Brad suggested he’ll be off to StL as early as Jan.

 

From Tim Ream:

 

This is an interesting read, and at least appears grounded in some truth.

https://theathletic.com/news/fulham-scott-parker-director-of-scouting/kCKm5jHyL6vX

 

No real surprises here, with the possible exception of Betts returning.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/...erPT91DLx38U8LARMWe7NTsxmEa72LJfIr01CMrWjfiVU

 

Oh FFS. They extended Le Marchand. I have another season of ranting and raving about him to look forward to.

 

Nice little tribute to K-Mac on the offal. That deke and swerver against Milwall...LAWD!!’

 

I really hope his kidney transplant takes. Super good dude.

 

LE MARCHAND!!!!!!!! Promotion assured.

COYW

 

https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/06/fulham-turn-down-16m-bid-for-mitrovic/

Seems like Parker and Mitro’s relationship will be hard to salvage, but Scottie’s status needs to be figured out before even remotely considering selling Mitro.