Marco Silva has acknowledged that it will be very difficult to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic and strengthen his squad as the hunt for new players intensifies at Fulham ahead of the September 1 transfer deadline.
The Cottagers will be without the Serbian striker who scored 14 Premier League goals last season after they sold him for a club-record fee to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.
Silva hinted that Fulham were too late to look for suitable players to add to their small squad just a week before the market closed until January.
On the squad: “We have a great group of players. They always give their best for the shirt.”#ARSFUL pic.twitter.com/KJl8nqwseo
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 24, 2023
“At the moment in the market, I have to say that it’s really difficult (to sign players) and it’s a problem when you leave things until the last week of the market,” Silva said.
“I’m 100 percent sure that even if we lose a player that’s important to us (Mitrovic), over time we can sign a player who can help us, but right now we’re doing our best, so we’ll see if that’s the case.” possible.
“Seven players left us at the end of the season, we also lost Mitrovic and just signed two, so I think it’s clear to people how many players we need.
“If we want to sign a striker, he has to be the right one, it has to be someone who can have the right influence on our team and create the conditions that will help us, that’s the main thing for me.”
Fulham will take on Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday to claim their first Premier League victory over the Gunners since 2012.
Silva named his rivals as one of the best teams in the competition and emphasized the magnitude of the challenge ahead of them this weekend.
“Last year they played at a very good level, they are one of the best teams in the tournament, they showed it last season and will show it again this season, they are a strong team, and even more so at home, with all the support that will be. make it a good test for us,” added Silva.
“I understand that their two strikers (Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka) have skill and quality and (in) one-on-one they are also impressive. In the absence of Gabriel Jesus (Eddie) Nketiah is also doing very well and is a good solution for them.
“They signed (Kai) Havertz and (Declan) Rice, who went straight into their 11th squad, which means they have bolstered their midfield very well and that shows the impact of the players in their team.”
Tim Rome received a second yellow card after converting a penalty in Fulham’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford last week.
Silva criticized referee Darren Bond’s decision to sack his captain and noted how important the centre-back has been over the past few seasons.
“He has been a very important player for us over the past two seasons and has received an unfair red card,” Silva added.
“It will be a chance for Calvin (Bassey) to start.”