Football Prospects
We asked out football correspondents to provide their informed views on their clubs and prospects.
BRENTFORD
Before I discuss Brentford it’s worth mentioning what we learned in the pre-season.
Arsenal equalised in the 101st minute of the Community Shield match, confirming that extra time now will be much longer.
Secondly, there will be a referee clamp down: managers and head coaches who are red-carded can no longer remove themselves from the coaching area by the pitch to the main stand.
There will be more red cards brandished to players. I have seen such early season campaigns before and they do not usually last as those opposed to them cite their inconsistencies.
Last term Brentford had an excellent season, finishing top ten.
They are well run and seem to cope with selling their best players.
Recruitment is top notch and in Thomas Frank they boast one of the most progressive coaches in the Premiership.
I don’t predict relegation but I cannot see them finishing again above London rivals Chelsea and West Ham.
Rex Mitchell.
FULHAM
Fulham’s prep has been disrupted by Saudi interest in coach Marco Silva, Alex Mitrovic and Willian – all of whom seemed to have turned down the lure of Saudi lucre.
There was some concern by fans that Fulham left their transfer business too late.
They did not understand that (1) it’s best to move for a player as discreetly and quietly as possible; and (2) players now have the contractual as well as the financial power.
Thus you can agree terms with the selling club then it’s over to the player, whose agent can hock him around to the highest bidder.
There are also issues with Financial Fair Play that wrecked our neighbours QPR with a £40m fine. Owners understand this but all too frequently adherence to it is viewed as lack of ambition.
Having seen what the American owner did to Burnley, who went from an established traditional club with no debt to a relegated one with a massive one, I personally have no problem with our American owner who has chosen wisely in Marco Silva and sensibly wants to protect further investment in players.
I doubt whether we will finish top ten again but I do think we should avoid relegation comfortably.
Alan Tanner.
BRIGHTON
Chairman and owner Tony Bloom pulled it off again by selling Moises Caicedo for £111 million to either Chelsea or Liverpool, having bought him for £4 million It’s good business all right, but the engine room of a team that qualified for the Europa League – Mac Alister and Caicedo – may now be at Liverpool.
Brighton are fortunate that expectations of fans are low and most will be satisfied by staying up, which I think we will do.
Just as Caicedo was a replacement for Yves Bissouma, so Tony Bloom and the recruitment team will have lined up a replacement – probably the young Argentine Buonanotte.
Ivan Conway.
FIORENTINA
Defender Igor has joined Ivan Conway’s Brighton for £11 million and Melo, the ex-Barcelona and Juventus midfielder, has come in.
There is Manchester Utd interest in Moroccan World Cup star Amrabat.
Fiorentina under American owner Rocco Commisso are a selling club and Italian football does not have the financial power it once had to attract top players any more.
I expect Fiorentina to finish mid-table.
Stefano Ursolini.
OGC NICE
I saw Nice draw 1-1 with Lille last night at the Allianz Riviera Stadium.
The revolving door of mangers has continued with Francesco Fabioli, who served under Roberto de Zerbi at Sassuola, replacing Didier Digaard – who in turn replaced Lucen Fabre, who replaced Patrick Viera.
We have lost Fulham’s loaned Joe Bryan. Kasper Schmeichel is replaced in goal, but up front Gaetan Laborde is still a prolific finisher.
The big signing was Boca the Ivorian international for £30 million.
I expect a top ten finish, which will be a disappointment for Ineos and its owner Jim Ratcliffe, who has invested heavily in Nice – as he did in the America’s Cup and a bicycle racing team.
Michel di Vacri.
