In the heart of London, Fulham have been at the epicentre since their foundation in 1879. London’s oldest football club have endured moments of triumph and heartbreak in their 145 year history. They have witnessed the highs of a Europa League final in 2010, and the lows of relegation from the Premier League on three occasions. Since their recent promotion from the EFL Championship in 2022, Fulham have competed brilliantly under the guidance of head coach Marco Silva, including a top ten finish in their first season back in the top flight.
This season, Fulham have been competitive once again and have shown their aspirations as a club to be more than just Premier League survivalists. Lying in tenth place, three points above fellow London rivals Tottenham, Fulham have shown as desire to made strides this season and aim for a place in Europe next season. With impressive wins over Newcastle, Brentford and Brighton, and deserving points picked up in draws with Arsenal and Tottenham, Fulham have made it clear that they want to push on this season.
From watching and analysing the Cottagers this season, it is impressive to notice how they have a squad built up of players that are severely underrated. From goalkeeper to centre forward, Marco Silva has a young, dynamic squad to play with whilst also boasting a squad with players who have tremendous experience in the Premier League. Most notably, the performances of Alex Iwobi, Emile Smith-Rowe and Antonee Robinson have been exceptional in this Fulham side and has helped build a belief around Craven Cottage that this club could compete with the league’s elite again.
Alex Iwobi.
When Alex Iwobi signed for Fulham from Everton in September 2023, it was an underwhelming transfer for Fulham fans. Although having decent performances with the Toffee’s the previous season, Iwobi wasn’t viewed as a player that could develop this Fulham side and he was a player that hadn’t nailed down a position for himself at either Arsenal or Everton.
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Iwobi moved to England with his family and was signed by Arsenal at the age of six years old. At the Gunner’s Iwobi developed well and was given his first senior appearance by Arsene Wenger in the 2015/16 season. Having made 149 appearances for Arsenal, totalling 15 goals and 25 assists, it was time for Iwobi to move on and Everton would be his next destination. Manager at the time and current Fulham boss, Marco Silva, brought him to Merseyside for fee in the region of £35 million. Although it wasn’t plain sailing for Iwobi at Everton, he ended his spell there on a positive note, winning the Players Player of the Year award.
In his debut season for Fulham, Iwobi made 32 appearances, scoring five times and assisting twice. It wasn’t an eye catching first season with the club but it was clear that Iwobi was beginning to find his feet with his new club. This season, Iwobi has already bettered last season’s tally with five goals and three assists in just fifteen games. Silva has already stated this season that Iwobi is going to have the best season of his career this year;
“For me, last season was the best season from him in the Premier League, in my opinion, and I’m sure that he’s going to be better this season.”
The reason being is that Iwobi is a versatile player that can adapt to many positions which is key for Silva. The Fulham boss has praised his ability to be able to fill into roles for the team and to be effective from any position.
“He likes to be around in the middle of the pitch, and coming from the left he is really strong, too. Now he’s playing more on the right, where he’s capable to perform like he showed [against Crystal Palace], with a different role.
We needed a player to follow [Tyrick] Mitchell a bit more, because he has the capacity to go up and down. Probably things that the other wingers in our squad don’t have, that he has, like he showed against Man City, when he played a different, little bit deeper, role as well.”
We needed a player to follow [Tyrick] Mitchell a bit more, because he has the capacity to go up and down. Probably things that the other wingers in our squad don’t have, that he has, like he showed against Man City, when he played a different, little bit deeper, role as well.”
Emile Smith-Rowe.
Similar to Iwobi, Emile Smith-Rowe is a product of the Arsenal underage academy. Smith-Rowe agreed to sign with Fulham in August 2024 and signed a five year contract indicating his desire to succeed with the Cottagers. As a local player, Smith-Rowe decided to join the Arsenal Academy at the age of ten. Making his senior debut in 2018, Smith-Rowe would later join German side RB Leipzig to develop his skills before re-joining the Gunners. His break out season came in 2020/21 where he played 33 times for the Gunners and was a key player in their run to the Europa League semi-final.
Injuries would set his development back with the club and he could never regain his place in Mikel Arteta’s side. This ultimately forced him to seek out a new club and Fulham would be his next destination. What influenced him most about this move was the plans for the future and the project this club is undergoing.
“Listening to the project, speaking to the Manager, and seeing what players we have here already, I think it’s an exciting project for me, and definitely the perfect step for my career going forward.”
In his fifteen appearances for the club so far, Emile Smith-Rowe has already three goals and two assists to his name. He has been an ever present figure in the Fulham midfield and has bolstered their attack. Marco Silva didn’t hide his admiration for the English midfielder and even pleaded with the board to get him at whatever cost.
“I told our board that we have to go with everything that we can because we needed a player like him — clear and more creative in that pocket area, a player that arrives in the box.”
His ability to see passes and unlock stubborn defences is exactly why Silva needed him at the club. As an attacking midfielder, Smith-Rowe has been a hugely impactful player since his arrival. He has shown already this season why he was a player being sought by numerous clubs during the summer. His reading of the game has been second to none and he has linked incredibly well with the midfield counterparts of Berge, Iwobi and Lukic. Although tipped for great thing’s while at Arsenal, he has been an underrated star that has shone so far with the Cottagers.
Antonee Robinson.
One of Marco Silva’s many gems in this team of underrated stars. Since his arrival in 2020 from Wigan Athetic, Robinson has been regarded as one of the best current left back’s in the Premier League. Beginning his career at Everton, Robinson would later move to Bolton Wanderers and become a key member in their side during the 17/18 EFL Championship season. After a spell with Wigan Athletic, Robinson signed for Fulham in 2020 and became an instant fan favourite. He earned a spot on the EFL Team of the Year in the title winning side in 2022 and has been one the most consistent players in the Premier League since.
Although he is still yet to score, he has a total of 11 assists and 22 clean sheets in his 115 appearances for Fulham. Four of these assists have been in this season alone which highlights his importance to this side. He is a reliable defender and can be trusted with or without the ball. His performances last season earned him the club player of the year award while this season he has worn the captains armband on a couple of occasions and has also earned him a nomination as the US Men’s Player of the Year.
He has recently had to come up against tough attackers, most notably Bukayo Saka, and has came out on top. Silva had high praise for the defender after this showing and stated that it is what he is capable of. “Saka [vs Arsenal last week] is a good example of what he’s capable of doing, he’s in a very good moment. He’s been great so far this season – not just in our process but in his process too.”
At the age of 27, Robinson has only now began to reap the rewards of his ability. He is a terrific athlete and one the best attacking full backs in the league. He has attracted attention from top clubs around the league and Europe and rightly so. Silva has even regarded him as being one of the best decision makers in the league. “Big improvements from him over the last two seasons in that aspect of the game as everybody recognises him as a great athlete. His decision-making is improving and I can see him as one of the best in the league.”
He has been a major factor in Fulham’s impressive start to the season and the Cottager’s will be hoping he continues in this fashion as they push for a spot in European football next season.
Fulham have been a breath of fresh air this season. Their dynamic style of play along with their resilient attitude has put them in a great position heading into the second half of the season. They are a team with players who have found their home in West London. Andreas Pereira, Bernd Leno, Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez are all players who have found their feet at Craven Cottage. They have aided Marco Silva’s charges so far and can be labelled as unsung heroes in the Premier League. This season, Fulham have been a testament to the power of collective brilliance, driven by stars who prove every week they belong on the big stage.
