The Cottagers make their triumphant return to the top of English football under new leadership, and with many new faces around the pitch. They may have enough talent to climb up the table.
The Kid’s Alright
English wonderkid Ryan Sessegnon may only be 18 years old. He may not have a defined position on the pitch. But if he can carry his form from last season into the Premier League, it won’t be long until he is a household name. The talented winger/left back looks set to be the next great English talent, and the Cottagers rode his already prodigious skills to promotion last season.
Sessegnon played a key role against Aston Villa in the playoff final to send Fulham through. Sessegnon looks like a budding world-beater, and watching him grow into the Top Flight should be a wonderful time, especially if you support Fulham.
Familiar Foes
It hasn’t been long since Fulham were Premier League regulars, spending 12 consecutive seasons in the Top Flight from 2001-02 to 2013-14. But, since Mohamed Al-Fayed sold the club in 2013, the Cottagers have languished in the Championship. Finishing as low as 20th, Fulham did not find the Championship easy by any means. But a 23-game unbeaten run saw the team finish third, and after coming from behind to beat Derby County, Fulham secured their ascent against Aston Villa at Wembley.
Fulham’s return re-opens local rivalries with the other London clubs, particularly Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Seeing the black-and-white of the Cottagers in the Premier League just feels right, and Craven Cottage should be adorned in full regalia this season.
New Men in Town
Fulham has been very active in the summer window, bolstering their roster with four new players, and more potentially on the way. Joining the side this season are keeper Fabri from Besiktas, defender Maxime Le Marchand and midfielder Jean Michael Seri from Nice, and winger Andre Schurrle on loan from Borussia Dortmund.
Fabri and Le Marchand are nice pieces to support the team, but Schurrle and Seri are the gems of the class and should be regulars in the starting eleven. Schurrle has Premier League experience at Chelsea and was a role player on Germany’s World Cup winning side of 2014. His speed, skill and shooting ability will take some of the pressure off of Sessegnon to carry out the attack.
So happy to be a player of @FulhamFC let’s GO #COYW pic.twitter.com/fxZ0kqNizL
— André Schürrle (@Andre_Schuerrle) July 25, 2018
Seri had been recruited by the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea before signing with Fulham, showing that the midfielder’s all-around quality has turned more than a few heads. With more new signings, including potentially a new striker, on the horizon, Fulham fans have plenty of fresh talent to cheer for.