#Fulham after a good year in #Championship is ready for #PremierLeague Yet the consensus on the north side of Putney Bridge is that Silva has been building something different since he took charge in the summer. It is fascinating Neeskens Kebano, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jean Michael Seri – all snubbed by Scott Parker last season in the Premier League – are their star players this time round.
GOALKEEPERS
MAREK RODAK helped Fulham win promotion last time round, only to be bombed out in the Premier League in favour of Alphonse Areola.
Back in favour again, his performances have been impressive enough to keep out summer arrival Paulo Gazzaniga.
VERDICT: The Slovakian, if he maintains his form, deserves a crack at the top-flight – but club will surely strengthen with another keeper coming in during the summer.
DEFENCE
ADARABIOYO is a class act in the centre of defence and has a good understanding with American Tim Ream.
Joe Bryan and Denis Odoi are decent full-backs.
Along with Bournemouth, they have the best defensive record, conceding just 17 goals so far.
VERDICT: Silva will need to bring in a top-quality relatively experienced centre-back. As good as Ream is this season, he will be 35 and the Cottagers need some younger legs.
Probably should look to sign another full-back too.
MIDFIELD
SERI has been owning the centre of the park this season and is probably the best in the Championship.
Harry Wilson has also been quality along with the likes of 19-year-old Fabio Carvalho, who is just getting better and better.
And Kebano wreaks havoc.
VERDICT: Club should go out and get another midfield enforcer to add a bit more depth. If Kebano is unable to add goals to his game, they should perhaps look for a goalscoring winger too.
STRIKERS
MITROVIC has once again been scintillating up front in the Championship and is also certainly a lot more defensive-minded now.
But his previous Premier League numbers have not been great – although to be fair to him he did not get much of a look-in last season under Parker.
VERDICT: Mitrovic should be shown some loyalty and get a chance – but I would say getting in another prolific striker with a proven track record should be their No1 transfer target next summer to give the Serb worthy competition.
