Marco Silva: Fulham need to sign a winger

By SABC Sport
29th August 2024

Fulham boss Marco Silva is eager to bring in another winger before the transfer window closes on Friday night.

The Cottagers lost Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Willian on free transfers this summer but brought in Emile Smith Rowe who can play out wide.

Silva reiterated Fulham need one more winger, with Lyon's Ernest Nuamah linked.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich, Silva said: "I won't talk names, just players of ours. I won't confirm and will just talk about our players. But it's clear what position we're looking for.

"I love all the players we have so far. We are confident we can get the last player and piece from the market, which is a wide player.

"We lost two wingers last season and we need to sign one more."

Ipswich have lost their first two games in the top flight following last season's promotion from the Sky Bet Championship, losing 2-0 at home to Liverpool before shipping four goals in a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

Silva, however, talked up Kieran McKenna and the Suffolk club for their recent successes.

He added: "We are talking about a club with an unbelievable mentality from the last two seasons.

"When you are promoted from League One to the Championship and Championship to Premier League, it is an unbelievable run. I know what it is to create that winning mentality.

"That gives confidence to the players, fans and staff as well. We had a feeling when we played them last season that it was a tough environment.

"The first game of the season was a tough game for Liverpool, it was a good level by them (Ipswich) and a strong start for them.

"It will be a tough game. They have signed players with Premier League experience, players with a lot of quality who will be important for them."

Smith Rowe has settled well in west London after his switch from Arsenal, scoring on his home debut in Fulham's victory over Leicester last Saturday.

But Silva believes the attacking midfielder still needs to adapt to how he wants his team to defend.

He said: "Emile has something different for us. He needs to adapt to the way we press and the way we play off the ball because that position demands hard work for ourselves."