Scott Parker has real concerns over losing Spurs, Man Utd, Liverpool target
Scott Parker admits Fulham face an uphill battle to keep hold of their best players as he plots an immediate return to the Premier League.
Relegation to the Sky Bet Championship was confirmed on April 2 as a season that began with a £100million-plus recruitment drive ended in a 4-0 annihilation by Newcastle at Craven Cottage.
Among the stars sought by other clubs will be Aleksander Mitrovic, Ryan Sessegnon and Ryan Babel. With, Sessegnon already refusing to commit his long-term future to the relegated club.
However, Parker, who was made permanent boss last week, is ready to try and prevent as many as possible from leaving, although it will be difficult to stop the likes of Tottenham, Man Utd and Liverpool moving for Sessegnon.
BREAKING: Fulham confirm appointment of Scott Parker as head coach on a permanent basis. #FFC pic.twitter.com/E8SOO6m1dP
— Fulham FC News (@FulhamfcNews) May 10, 2019
“When you’re relegated you’ll always be vulnerable to losing your best players. We will be no different,” he told fulhamfc.com.
“In saying that, the owners are committed to this team and have invested a lot of money into this team.
“I have no doubt they will be doing everything in their power to keep the best talent and best players so that gives us an opportunity next year.
“Of course I’d love Ryan Sessegnon to be at the club. Ryan fits into the bracket of a few others we want to keep. It’s going to be a busy summer of rebuilding and us trying to keep hold of players.
“Harvey Elliot is definitely someone I believe in. In his 20 minutes against Newcastle you could see the talent he’s got.
“He’s a 16-year-old boy who is doing his GCSEs next week. He showed a lot of confidence.”
@FulhamFC’s Harvey Elliott has become the youngest EVER player to play in the @PremierLeague.
DOB: April 4th, 2003
Age: 16 Years and 30 Days
Incredible. pic.twitter.com/uOis5KAFCZ
— SPORF (@Sporf) May 4, 2019
A successful transfer window is just one of Parker’s objectives this summer as he looks to make the changes that he insists are essential if Fulham are to recover from a dismal season.
“This season has given us a clear idea of what needs to be done at the football club,” said Parker.
“This club needs a culture and an identity. We need those foundations for us to be successful. That’s what we’re going to do. There’s a big challenge ahead.
“If we drive up standards and build culture, I suspect we’ll have very successful seasons ahead.
“Standards at the football club need to go up and they need to rise across every department. It’s possible to come back up next season.
“We know the league we are going into is very difficult. There are established Premier League teams in it who are struggling in mid-table.
“We understand the demands. But I’ve realised the only way we’ll be successful is by building the foundations and establishing the culture. It’s a big year ahead for us.”
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