According to Transfermarketweb, Fulham have joined the race to sign Matteo Darmian in the upcoming transfer window.
It is believed that the Cottagers are keen to secure a loan deal for the Manchester United star that would see him stay at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2019.
Darmian has struggled to get regular playing time with the Red Devils and has been linked with a move away from the club.
Here are the pros and cons of Darmian’s potential move to Craven Cottage.
Pros
Life in England hasn’t been easy for Darmian, especially under Jose Mourinho, as the Italian international has made only 11 league appearances in the past couple of seasons.
But, the 29-year-old is still a talented full-back with good technical qualities. While he may not be an offensive-minded full-back per se, Darmian is certainly a solid defender who can fortify Fulham’s leaky backline this season. He is also a versatile defender and can be deployed on either wing in a traditional four-man defensive line.
However, what makes Darmian an appealing target is his vast experience at the highest level, having made over 250 appearances in the European top-flight football, which is significantly higher than Fulham’s other targets in the said position.
The experience could prove to be critical in Ranieri’scounter-attackingg tactical setup. Darmian’s exceptional tackling prowess coupled with his defensive awareness on the flanks are ideal for Ranieri as he looks guide Fulham to a swift recovery following a rusty start to the campaign, which ushered the sacking of Slavisa Jokanovic.
Cons
Darmian has hardly played regular football in the past couple of seasons, raising the question as to whether or not he will be capable enough to deliver from the start, especially considering that Ranieri will have very little time to make an impression at Craven Cottage.
In addition, Darmian is certainly not the most accurate crosser even though he often tends to provide tons of crosses into the box. He will certainly need to improve on that score if he is to provide better service to Aleksander Mitrovic upfront.
Most importantly, however, the Italian international has often been criticised for occasional lapses of concentration, which could prove costly for Fulham as they look to get out of the relegation scrap during the second half of the campaign.
