Fulham

Tom Gayle
Match of the Day commentator

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As a neutral, I struggled to recall a Fulham youngster who had progressed through their academy and established themselves as a first team regular. A quick back and forth over WhatsApp with a BBC colleague helped identify a consistent trend. Those who do emerge are quickly snapped up by 'bigger clubs'.

Patrick Roberts was in and around for the first team for two seasons before Manchester City came calling for the teenager in 2015. Harvey Elliott, at just 16, made three senior appearances in 2019 before transferring to Liverpool. Neither player was at the club long enough to hear the chant 'he's one of our own'. Fabio Carvalho was. His breakthrough 2021-22 campaign was in the Championship, during which he scored 10 goals and provided eight assists, helping Fulham secure promotion to the Premier League. After just one season the 19-year-old also opted to head north to Anfield.

The poster boy example from a Fulham perspective would be Ryan Sessegnon, who after making his debut as a16-year-old, subsequently went on to score 25 goals across 120 appearances, before a club record transfer sale to Tottenham during the same summer in which Elliott also left.

The evolution of Sessegnon, who re-joined the club this season, is a clear outlier. Fulham fans will be hoping their latest diamond to surface, Josh King, bucks the trend demonstrated by the majority of those previously outlined.

As with most young players who regularly find themselves amongst a Premier League match day squad, their technical ability goes without question. Yet watching on during Saturday's FA Cup win over Wigan, the aspect which immediately stood out to me was he simply didn't look like a teenager making only a second career start in senior football.

His impressive balance meant I could not recall him ever being pushed off the ball, unless fouled, in what was a very physical game. King, who turned 18 last month, never went missing, was constantly involved in the play, often leading the counter attack, and if not for a better Timothy Castagne cutback, the performance could have been topped off by scoring his first ever professional goal.

Fulham are not in a rush to make King a regular starter. Head Coach Marco Silva alluded to a calculated exposure to the first team environment. When speaking to me during his post-match interview Silva said: "Josh is a top talent we have on our hands that we have to keep giving these experiences to. I think he showed his quality, his bravery and the way he can play between the lines."

The noises suggest King is an asset Fulham want to retain. Competing for minutes alongside the likes of Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith-Rowe and Andreas Pereira will help Silva's plotted drip feed approach. However with the current laser sharp focus on clubs adhering to the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations, it would be naïve to think any home grown player is not for sale.

Tom Cairney is in his 10th season at Fulham. The club captain first met King back in 2018, when the then 11-year-old walked out onto the pitch with him as a club mascot. Cairney has played alongside Roberts, Elliott, Carvalho and Sessegnon, so has a firm understanding of whether or not a youngster can cut it at the elite level.

According to him "the sky's the limit" for King.

We asked for your views on Fulham's FA Cup match against Wigan.

Here are some of your comments:

Kevin: Yet again, a poor Fulham performance against a so-called lesser team. We lack directness and controlled aggression. Credit to Wigan for taking advantage of that. Fortunately we're through to the next round. Bring on a 'big' team!

Will: Any cup win is good and especially with such a rotated side. Great to see Muniz back in form.

Samuel: I believe that we did not get in the box as much as we should have since we relied on crosses to score goals like the first Muniz goal. We were lucky to have Benda in the squad since we were lacking defensively.

David: Fulham strolled through the first half, got sloppy in the second, and squeezed through in the end. Felt it was a low intensity performance overall but happy with the win.

Martin: It doesn't matter how you play, it's about winning and being in the next round draw.

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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Fulham travelled to the Brick Community Stadium having exited the FA Cup fourth round in four of the previous five seasons, and they needed to survive a late Wigan onslaught to avoid another early exit on Saturday.

The Cottagers dominated the first half and should perhaps have led by more than Rodrigo Muniz's header at the break.

A second Fulham goal seemed only a matter of time early in the second half, but Jonny Smith's stunning strike - Wigan's first shot on target - changed the complexion of the tie.

Muniz restored the visitors' advantage not long afterwards, but Wigan soon regrouped and went close to a second equaliser when Ronan Darcy curled a shot wide from the edge of the box.

Issa Diop almost put through his own net and Scott Smith forced a fine save out of Steven Benda, before Darcy had a late goal ruled out for offside.

In the end, Fulham held on by the skin of their teeth to confirm their place in the fifth round.

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Marco Silva spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Fulham's victory against Wigan: "It was a tough game. As I said before the match, you get nothing as a guarantee at this level. We were the favourites and I think we showed that throughout the game but the last 15 minutes we showed them they could fight for something. I don't remember one shot from them in the first 45 minutes. We had two or three chances to kill the game and we didn't and of course when the game is 1-0, anything can happen and they have belief.

"It was a great strike for the equaliser but a good reaction from us. When it was the moment to keep more of the ball in the last 15 minutes, we should have kept it a lot more. It was open and we didn't want that because we gave them belief. It was a tough one but I think we deserved the win and deserve to be in the next stage."

On the battle for a starting spot between Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez: "It has been a great fight between him and Raul Jimenez, great competition, healthy competition. Every single day they are trying to help each other but they know the most important thing is the team. Both are in a great moment. The last game against Newcastle is a good example. It is a good situation for us so let's keep working hard with them and it's up to me who starts the next game."

On youngsters Martial Godo and Josh King: "They are players we believe and trust. We have to give them this experience for them to grow. Martial has had some senior football last season already and it made him grow in a good way. Josh is a top talent we have on our hands that we have to keep giving these experiences too. I think he showed his quality, his bravery and the way he can play between the lines."

Tell us your thoughts on the match here

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Fulham's performance

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Nine Premier League teams are competing in Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round action, and we will bring you every moment.

• Leyton Orient v Man City (12:15) - watch on BBC One and listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Coventry v Ipswich

• Everton v Bournemouth

• Southampton v Burnley

• Wigan v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Birmingham v Newcastle (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Brighton v Chelsea (20:00) - watch on BBC One and listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney says he learned a lot about management from Fulham boss Marco Silva when he played under him at Hull City, but I am surprised he has not said the same about me.

Shaun had an outstanding playing career, and he has a lot to thank me for about that - I helped him a lot when he was a youngster at Celtic, both technically and psychologically.

Being serious, fair play to him for the job he has done at Wigan because he has had a lot to contend with there. He also had a tough time in charge of Hibs, where he was wrongly sacked and was not given long enough.

So, I have a lot of admiration for what Shaun has done as a manager and Wigan are doing all right under him, but this is a tough game for them.

Fulham are like Bournemouth in that they are in the top half of the Premier League and I want to see them give the FA Cup a real go.

We talked about Silva's side on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club this week actually, as having a brilliant bench that can make a contribution most weeks.

At the start of the season I thought Fulham's home form was impressive but it has dropped off recently, and it is their away form that is exceptional at the moment.

I think they will carry that on in the FA Cup, and they will be too strong for Wigan.

This game could see twin brothers Ryan and Steven Sessegnon play against each other for the first time in their careers - Ryan for Fulham and Steven for Wigan.

I played against my younger brother, John, when we were both up in Scotland and he tried to kick me but did not get near me - it was a bit like when we played each other in the garden when we were kids, although I was 10 years older than him.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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The fifth-round draw will take place during Monday's episode of The One Show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Former England winger Theo Walcott, who won the trophy twice while with Arsenal, will conduct the draw at about 19:10 GMT.

There are 16 Premier League teams left in the draw, with Leicester having been beaten by Manchester United on Friday, and Arsenal, Brentford and West Ham exiting in the third round.

Phil Cartwright
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at League One side Wigan (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Silva described the returning Willian as a "top professional" and said: "It's going to take probably two or three weeks for him to be in the best shape he can because he has not played for the past month. At his age, you have to be careful. As a footballer, he fits really well with how we want to play."

• Silva added: "He was an important player for us for the past two seasons - he helped the club achieve important things. Now he is back and let's hope in 15-20 days we can have him back at his best level, that he can keep enjoying the Premier League and he can embrace the challenge he has ahead of him. If he's there, he will help us be stronger and help his team-mates on the pitch."

• Wigan are managed by Shaun Maloney, a player Silva managed at Hull City: "He always had an eye on everything we were doing. I had very good chats with him. Most of the times at the end of sessions, he would ask questions of me and all my staff. You could feel it was clear in his mind to try to get the chance to be a coach."

• On Ryan Sessegnon who could come up against his twin brother Steven: "For sure they have been speaking [before the game]! It's going to be another great connection and coincidence from the game, as well as my connection with the opposition manager. Even the situation of Martial [Godo], who had a good spell last season there [at Wigan]."

• Reiss Nelson has suffered an injury setback. He had returned to training after recovering from an injury to one leg but has now injured the other leg. Silva expects him to be out for several more weeks.

• On his FA Cup hopes: "We are full of ambition for this competition. It is a really special competition and something I used to see on television when I was really young. There are always surprises and you don't want to be part of these surprises."

• He continued: "Nobody is going to underestimate Wigan because it's always tough to play in the FA Cup away from home. You have to be really serious in your approach. Everybody is completely focused in their role and our ambitions for the game."

Read a recap of Thursday's FA Cup news conferences and football news

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We asked for your views on the re-signing of Willian.

Here are some of your comments:

Michael: No-one can ever doubt Willian's skill or the impact he has on other players. It's a shame he went but let's welcome the contribution he can make for the rest of the season.

Ollie: Genius signing! Filling the gap left by 35-year-old Willian with 36-year-old Willian. Come on your Whites!

Barry: Great player but not the future for Fulham. I'm sure when asked about Willian, Marco Silva said he had enough wingers. With 14 games in the Premier League left, who is gaining from this?

Charlie: His experience will be very beneficial. When he comes on, he will make any opposition manager change formation because of the danger he brings. Happy to see him back and the lessons he can bring for the younger lads like Joshua King. Overall, he will be a very positive signing.

Will: I suppose its better than nothing, but we really should have got more than a 36-year-old on a free. We had links with the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, and didn't go through with it. I'm not sure if this squad can get us to Europe, but if it does, we will need a lot more players to deal with extra games.

Kevin: Will always be a great player. Gives 100% and makes things happen.

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Fulham have re-signed Brazilian winger Willian on a contract until the end of the season.

The 36-year-old, who was with Fulham for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, was a free agent after leaving Greek club Olympiakos recently.

"I'm really happy to be back here," said the former Chelsea player. "I think it's a great opportunity again to play for this club, and I'm fully motivated to get on the pitch and do things well for this club.

"I'm completely happy, my family's happy. We are happy to be back and I think we can do good things until the end of the season, so I can't wait to start with my team-mates and do good things inside the pitch."

What do you make of Willian's return? Are you happy he is back at Craven Cottage?

Send us your thoughts

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

They say never go back, but it does not feel like Willian ever really left.

It was an uncharacteristically quiet deadline day, with the only news being that Fulham are set to re-sign the Brazilian winger on a deal until the end of the season.

The January window is often a damp squib. Any value in this period has long gone and most deals are based on necessity.

That is exactly the situation we found ourselves in. Injuries to right-back Kenny Tete and winger Harry Wilson left us light in both areas.

Willian is a plaster for our Wilson situation. The latter has featured regularly since he turned our derby with Brentford on its head in November, scoring five and adding an assist, but a stress fracture to his foot means his season is effectively over.

On the face of it, the Willian deal makes total sense; he is well known to Marco Silva and we know he can contribute. He scored 10 and racked up seven assists in two seasons at Craven Cottage.

On the other hand, it always felt like the Brazilian had one foot out of the door. You would be forgiven for hoping that our recruitment team might have had other targets in their stats pack.

Fans will be disappointed we did not get any cover at right-back.

Timothy Castagne has been filling in for the injured Tete, but Saturday's game against Newcastle United showed how tough the Belgian has found it compared to the assured performances that kept Tete out of the first XI last season.

We are just four points off the European places, so each of the 14 games we have left this season are crucial. Time will tell if we have the strength in numbers it takes to qualify, let alone to mount a challenge on two fronts next term.

Who knows? Perhaps our old flame can help us get there.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Fulham are set to sign Willian and manager Marco Silva looks to be getting the winger signing he called for, but where is his desired right-back?

Just Timothy Castagne is available now, with Kenny Tete currently injured and expected to be out for the majority of the season.

However, Fulham have recalled Devan Tanton from Chesterfield, who will be part of the squad and act as right-back cover, with Ryan Sessegnon also willing to step in as required as he searches for minutes.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty

Fulham are in talks to re-sign Willian as a free agent after he cancelled his contract with Olympiakos.

The 36-year-old is in London as the two sides look to agree a deal which would fulfil boss Marco Silva's request to sign a winger in the winter transfer window.

Willian was in attendance at Chelsea's match at home to West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Monday night as talks between Fulham and the Brazil international's team continue.

The deal does not need to be rushed before the deadline at 23:00 GMT as Willian is a free agent - and a formal announcement is expected on Tuesday.

The Whites are confident they have completed the deal while sources close to the player have described a full agreement as close.

The midfielder made 67 appearances for the Cottagers in his previous spell, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists.

We asked you what would ensure you are satisfied this deadline day.

Here are some of your comments:

Joseph: One simple thing. Any player who is able to either score, or put a decent cross into the box, whether that is from a corner or from open play. Doesn't matter how much we spend, but we desperately need at least one of those options.

Mike: Definitely a right-back and a striker.

Robert: We need someone who can score 15 goals in a season. We also need someone who can create goals. If anything were to happen to Antonee Robinson, we would struggle to make any goals.

Tom: With our recent record of reinvigorating Premier League players whose careers have stalled at other clubs, it may be worth taking a punt on Evan Ferguson.

Charles: We need a right-back. We have been linked to Mehmet Zeki Celik of Roma, but he hasn't been given the green light to go. With Tete injured and Timothy Castange under-performing, a new right-back is the bare minimum.

Alex: We need a winger desperately. With Reiss Nelson still out and Harry Wilson out for 10 weeks, we cannot rely on Adama Traore as he is too inconsistent. Everyone talks about the striker position and I am still waiting for Rodrigo Muniz to make an impact. He proved himself to the club last season that he can score, so give him enough time and it will come when he has the confidence.

It's the last day of the winter transfer window and Premier League clubs have until 23:00 GMT to complete their business.

We'll bring you all the news, views, twists and turns as the clock ticks down to deadline.

Follow it all here

Let's be realistic.

Instead of setting sights high only for dreams to get dashed, we want to know what the minimum requirement is for Fulham on deadline day.

Be as specific as possible and tell us what will ensure you are satisfied come 23:00 GMT on Monday.

Let us know