Marco Silva frustrated with Fulham’s transfer planning as key trio head to AFCON

Fulham manager Marco Silva has openly criticized the club’s summer transfer strategy, citing inadequate preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a key reason for his current squad struggles. With key players Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze all set to leave for the biennial tournament, Silva finds himself without three of his most important performers during a crucial stretch of fixtures. The trio could miss up to a month of action, potentially leaving Fulham vulnerable during the festive period.

As Fulham prepare for a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle on Wednesday, the absence of these influential players weighs heavily on Silva’s plans. The manager admits the club should have done more to address the potential issue well in advance.

“If you lose three players, it’s tough, but we knew that from last July,” Silva reflected ahead of his trip to Tyneside.

“When we signed Chukwueze, we knew it. We should have been prepared for that situation. We have to face the competitions with the players we have.”

While Silva’s concerns are rooted in the absence of key men, he has also voiced his frustration with Fulham’s overall transfer activity. The club left much of their business to the final days of the window, which has put them at a disadvantage during a busy period of games.

Despite these frustrations, Silva remains fully committed to the club and has insisted that he will stay focused on managing the team’s current situation.

“I’m here 100 percent committed to the football club, for the fans, for the club. Let's do our maximum every day,” Silva affirmed. “It can be difficult under the circumstances, but on paper, it’s very simple.”

One of the most pressing concerns for Silva has been the timing of Fulham’s summer acquisitions, which saw a flurry of activity on Deadline Day. Although Fulham brought in quality additions like Chukwueze from Villarreal, the short window for pre-season preparation left Silva’s squad with limited options to cover potential absences like those caused by AFCON.

In particular, Chukwueze’s departure comes at a difficult time for the manager. The winger had been in scintillating form, contributing directly to Fulham’s attacking output after a rocky start. His absence will be keenly felt, especially given that Fulham have yet to fully recover from their early-season inconsistency.

Silva’s comments underscore his concern that over-reliance on African players may leave the club exposed, especially considering AFCON’s two-year cycle.

“We have to be careful if we sign more (African) players. We have to have the right balance,” Silva warned.

While this statement reflects a desire for balance in squad composition, it also highlights the ongoing challenge Fulham face in adapting to international scheduling and its impacts on their season.

From our perspective covering Fulham this season, it’s clear that Silva’s frustration is more than just a reaction to the current squad limitations. His public comments about the club’s transfer strategy raise valid concerns about a lack of proactive planning. Although Chukwueze’s arrival was an exciting piece of business, leaving the club’s January window activity to the last minute has left them vulnerable in critical positions, particularly as they face a tough schedule.

Fulham have a number of capable players, but the balance Silva seeks — between retaining attacking dynamism and ensuring midfield depth — has yet to be struck. Silva’s frustration with the club’s inability to anticipate the effect of AFCON is understandable, but it also serves as a reminder that proactive planning should be prioritised in the future.

Fulham’s approach in January could prove pivotal not only for the second half of the season but for Silva’s future, as his contract runs down.

Fulham head to Newcastle United on Wednesday, 17 December for their Carabao Cup quarter-final, with the absence of key players expected to be tested immediately. After that, they return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, 20 December.

Silva’s squad will need to prove their depth, even as their most influential players are on international duty.

👉 Fulham fans — do you agree with Silva’s assessment of the club’s transfer strategy?