Fulham have fans dreaming of Europe this season because they’re overachieving instead of fighting to maintain their English top-flight status. After finishing 13th in the Premier League table last season, the Cottagers are ninth with 42 points and are within arm’s reach of a coveted European football berth.
Manager Marco Silva deserves plaudits for steering the Cottagers in a positive direction. The Portuguese boss reportedly has suitors from rival clubs in the managerial market. Fulham would be asinine to let him go since continuing to build with Silva is the right way.
The road to Europe won’t be easy, and the Premier League 2025 odds agree. But, even if they fall short, fans at Craven Cottage shouldn’t be too disappointed. Today, SBOTOP reviews the Cottagers’ 2024-25 campaign thus far.
Fulham have done well in the transfer market
The Cottagers’ 2024-25 campaign started in the summer transfer window, where they’ve had their share of player acquisitions and departures. Fulham lost Joao Palhinha, Tosin Adarabioyo, Tim Ream, and Bobby Decordova-Reid, among others. However, they gained Emile Smith Rowe, Joachim Andersen, Sander Berge, Reiss Nelson, and Jorge Cuenca.
Emile Smith Rowe emerged as one of the team’s top scorers with five league goals and two assists. The 24-year-old midfielder was let go by Arsenal since he was deemed surplus, but Smith Rowe is enjoying his new home at Craven Cottage.
Joachim Andersen has been a vital cog at the defensive end for Fulham. Fulham took Andersen for a £30 million transfer fee from Crystal Palace, and the Danish international has been a fixture in the starting XI alongside Calvin Bassey, Antonee Robinson, Timothy Castagne, and Bernd Leno.
Sander Berge, Jorge Cuenca, and Reiss Nelson have been solid bench options for head coach Marco Silva. With so many games to play this season, Silva has called them to start from time to time, and they have generally responded well.
Fulham also let go of Willian, as the Brazilian winger went to Olympiakos last September. However, it didn’t work out for Willian, and the Cottagers didn’t hesitate to swoop him up in the free agent market. The 36-year-old is a serviceable veteran for the team, and he has already made three appearances.
Fulham punching above their weight
Losing key players in the transfer market would’ve discouraged Fulham, but their players used it instead as fuel to step up their games.
Raul Jimenez leads the team in scoring with nine league goals and three assists. Alex Iwobi has seven league goals and three assists. Rodrigo Muniz and Harry Wilson have five league goals each. Sasa Lukic has taken over as the team’s No. 6 after Palhinha left the squad. Calvin Bassey has filled the void left by Adarabioyo. Adama Traore regularly started on the right wing when Willian initially left for Greece and Bobby Decordova-Reid left for Leicester City.
Antonee Robinson has stood out as the team’s not-so-secret weapon. The American international is the team’s top playmaker with 10 assists since he has the license to play as an additional forward when Fulham charge forward on the attack.
Bernd Leno also deserves plaudits for holding it down between the sticks for Fulham. The former Arsenal goalkeeper was the unsung hero in the Cottagers’ penalty shootout win over the Red Devils in the FA Cup fifth round, as Leno saved two penalties by Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee. Fulham epitomises the adage “Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
What lies ahead for Fulham?
As mentioned earlier, Fulham face a tough road ahead to qualify for Europe next season. As things stand, the Cottagers are five points adrift of the Top 4 and four points adrift of the Top 5, so there’s hope.
After dumping Manchester United out of the FA Cup, the Cottagers face a tricky stretch of matches. They’ll take on Brighton, Tottenham, Crystal Palace (FA Cup), Arsenal, Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Chelsea until April. After that, they’ll square off against Southampton, Aston Villa, Everton, Brentford, and Manchester City to round out their 2024-25 Premier League season.
Fulham can qualify for Europe next season if they somehow win the FA Cup, regardless of their table position, but that is highly unlikely. The Cottagers can maximise what they can control, to record as many positive Premier League 2025 results and hope for the best in the cup.
Marco Silva also hopes the team won’t have new injuries since he needs all hands on deck. Either way, a Top 10 finish is already considered a successful campaign for the Cottagers.
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