Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Marco Silva concludes this summer has been a huge one for Fulham as he reflects on what could have been and what could still be.
Their run for European football saw them go straight back home. A win in six games has left them in mid-table limbo.
Silva points to several contributing factors. There have been missed chances in front of goal, questionable VAR decisions, key players losing form and most recently, a needless red card against Bournemouth that turned the tide of an important game.
The accumulation of these marginal gains probably sees Fulham in the European places at the moment. But there’s a bigger, more fundamental problem – the squad.
“I know it was a big summer for Fulham after the promotion, after that promotion, some tough decisions had to be made and we did,” Silva said. Sky Sports Ahead of their final game against Newcastle.
“We made some important decisions, some important players at that moment and we decided to replace them, to let go of some important players for us. It was an important summer.
“I’m not saying the club needs to sign 11 players next season. But certainly next summer is going to be very important for the future of this football club.”
Whether the Portuguese manager will be part of that future remains to be seen – Benfica’s job availability will likely have a big say in that.
Silva remains consistent. He has said for several months that he will make a decision about his future after the final game of the season. That moment is almost upon us.
On Friday, he reaffirmed that message and revealed he would meet with the club’s hierarchy next week. He insists he has yet to make any contact with Benfica.
Regardless, Silva will, next week, present his end-of-season report to the Fulham board. This will outline where and how much he feels the need to strengthen. Will their promises affect his big decision?
“It’s always important, 100 percent it’s always important and the club knows it. They clearly know what things are. They agree that certain things should be part of the decision. The future of this football club, I really hope and I believe, yes.”
Harry Wilson is out of contract this summer and could leave Fulham
Fulham’s late season slump had a sense of deja vu about it. It was the third consecutive campaign in which they have sprung. This left fans frustrated and some wondered if the manager was to blame.
“It’s something that we’re analyzing really deeply, because it happened again and it was something that, I can be honest with you, I’ve been talking to the players (about) since last January, creating a scenario that couldn’t happen.
“I knew we’d be fully alive and in for something special. To have it happen again, it disappoints me as much as it disappoints the fans and the players.”
But Silva believes the issue also lies in recruitment. Fulham’s average age is 27.6 – joint-highest in the Premier League.
“Fatigue is one thing, of course, some players we felt, it can’t be a lack of energy because they come to this stage with less energy than the clubs they started with, that’s clear.
“I like maturity, I always talk about experience, the maturity of this team is a strength. In terms of recruitment, for the last two years we’ve been trying to bring in more fresh legs, to bring in more young players. But four years in a row, the average age of our squad – we’ve always been the oldest.”
So if he leaves, what does Silva hope will be his Fulham legacy?
“If I stay or leave, I just want people to know that I’m someone who always gives – or always gives – for the football club every single day with that passion and passion, because I love the football club and I love my job. Simple as that. Someone who always puts the club above everything else.”
Watch Fulham v Newcastle live on Sky Sports this Sunday, kick-off 4pm
