Fulham have already shown themselves to be a team not afraid to get forward, with Mitrovic their pivotal figure up top. Aleksandar has taken plenty of plaudits as the season has kicked off, and rightly so having returned 4 goals and 29 points.
Mitro’s owner should feel very smug , as they have a brilliantly performing pick-up that will have likely gone under the radar; maybe they even took a few digs and jokes at their choice. However they can sleep easy - we’re not interested in trying to pry Mitrovic out of their belligerent hands. Instead we’re about to take a deeper look at the supporting cast at Fulham...
Specifically, there are 3 players we want to have a look at, all or some of which may well be available on waiver or free agency.
They are Andre Schurrle, Juan Michael Seri and Ryan Sessegnon. I know I know, there was no mention of Sessegnon in the title I hear you cry. I thought “Schurrle, You can’t Be Seri-Sess” was a step too far removed from the classic Airplane 1-liner, and you would have all doubted my pun prowess.
Never doubt my pun prowess.
We’ll start with Andre Schurrle. The former Chelsea and Wolfsburg man had many interested in picking him purely on his name. Many glanced over his pretty poor recent statistics, playing only 33 games for Dortmund in the last 2 years and scoring 3, with the winger receiving criticism from sections of the home support.
Those that followed the Schurrle name have already, fairly or unfairly, been rewarded. He’s already almost matched his 2016-2018 goal tally in just 4 appearances, and 1 of those showings was only a 2 minute cameo.
But this isn’t the exciting part. Schurrle has had 14 attempts over those 4 games, averaging one every 17 minutes, 5+ a game. With a shot accuracy of over 40%, that’s currently 2 on target a game.
Jean Michael Seri has gained attention over the last 2 games owing to a goal and an assist.
He has great assist potential, registering 8 chances in the opening 4 games, 2 of those considered big chances. He’s also 1 of Fulham’s corner takers; coupled with aerial threats such as Mitrovic and Mawson, there could be set piece goals down the line.
As soon as he does notch an attacking event, such as a goal or assist, he appears to be a shoe-in for bonus points having received 2 on both occasions. Interestingly he was also Fulham's top scorer in BPS during a 2-0 loss to Palace, although didn’t actually receive any bonus points.
Ryan Sessegnon remains a bit of a mystery. He had an excellent 2017-18, winning a boat load of awards and scoring 15 goals in 46 Championship appearances. He was tipped for transfers to bigger clubs, and when those didn’t come to fruition, tipped to bring his exciting form to the Premier League.
This, however, hasn’t materialised. There were warning signs in pre-season when he was utilised at left back instead of left wing, where he enjoyed all his success last year.
He started the first 2 games of the season, but only featured for 1 minute when Fulham put 4 past Burnley, and then only 16 minutes in the following game. He’s currently a much higher game-time risk compared to the presence of Schurrle and Seri.
What limited time he does have on the pitch, he still shows healthy FPL statistics. 4 shots, with 3 of those on target, and his heat map further forward then you’d expect from a traditional winger. This is exactly what many hoped for - a listed midfielder playing further up the pitch, with a strong goal threat.
Verdict
Schurrle and Seri remain good squad players if you can get your hands on them easily right now, be it as a free agent or on the waiver, and especially if you can use them as part of a streaming plan. They’re in form and will be regulars for this Fulham team who, although they may lose games, will undoubtedly score goals.
Sessegnon's lack of minutes in the last 2 games is concerning, but for anyone who can stash him, now may be a great time to grab him. If you have a sufficient squad to risk a non-player, he still has good underlying stats and may well yet work his way back into a regular starting slot. This may be Jokanovic protecting a young potential star, or still trying to find his best side with Bryan (LB), Schurrle (LW) direct threats to his position.
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