Despite narrowly losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the last game of the 2022-23 season, it has been a spectacular return to the Premier League for Fulham. Many had the Cottagers to be relegated at the first time of asking during the pre-season predictions, but Marco Silva and his team proved them all wrong.
Fulham finished 10th in the table with 52 points—just a point shy of their best record in the top flight during the 2008/09 season under Roy Hodgson. Marco Silva has done a commendable job at Craven Cottage, but if the Portuguese tactician and the club want to build on their good work and continue to climb the table, they must address certain areas of the pitch.
On that note, let us take a look at three areas Fulham should improve on next term.
- Sign a striker to compete with Aleksandar Mitrovic
One can deny the fact that Fulham are a completely different team without Aleksandar Mitrovic, as Marco Silva’s side struggled when their star striker found himself out of the team at various points throughout the season.
Not only did Fulham taste defeats in five of their eight matches while Mitrovic was suspended for elbowing referee Chris Kavanagh in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Man United, but they also lost four of their five games while the striker was injured. Thus, it should be crystal clear for Silva to look out for attacking reinforcements this summer.
Players such as Willian, Carlos Vinicius, Andreas Pereira, Bobby Reid and Manor Solomon chipped in with goals throughout the past season, but signing a striker who can compete with the big Serbian is an absolute must.
- Improve home form
It is surprising to note that Fulham managed only one home win more than their record on the travels. 8 wins of 19 home games isn’t a terrible record, but it is not a great stat either, especially for a team that mustered seven victories away from home.
Marco Silva’s side lost six times and drew five at Craven Cottage—a record they must improve next season. Making the Craven Cottage a fortress where teams fear visiting should be one of Silva’s aims.
- Keep hold of key performers
A host of players contributed to Fulham’s successful season on their return to the Premier League. Joao Palhinha, Tim Ream, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Willian and Bernd Leno are in the running for Fulham’s 2022/23 Player of the Season.
It won’t be wrong to suggest Palhinha was arguably the club’s best player, considering the impact he had on the team. Leno and Ream contributed heavily at the back while Mitrovic’s goals proved crucial in helping the Cottagers clinch a tenth spot. Willian, too, enjoyed an impressive return to the Premier League.
In addition to those, the likes of Andreas Pereira, Kenny Tete, Antonee Robinson, Manor Solomon and Harrison Reed played major roles throughout the season. After two highly successful years, it is hard not to feel like Silva is up to something good at Fulham, and the Portuguese should build on this success by keeping hold of his star players next season.