Fulham

Fulham forward Josh King says training sessions have "gone up a level" this summer after the club brought a range of new talent to Craven Cottage.

One of the most noteworthy players brought in was Gonzalo Garcia from boss Alvaro Arbeloa's former club Real Madrid. The Spanish youngster scored on his debut in the defeat by Chelsea on Monday night.

Speaking to BBC Radio London about the need to replace some of the goals lost through sales in the summer, King said: "That's the nature of the game. The position I'm in you've got to contribute with goals and assists.

"We've lost a couple of top finishers in Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson, so I think other people have got to step up, and thankfully I did that today and so did Gonzalo."

On the new recruits King added: "They're really nice people first of all and they're top players as well. I think the quality of training has gone up a level with them there. It's been really good to have them and they've integrated really well, evidently from the last few performances in pre-season and into the game. They've done really well and I think they've got even more to show."

King also spoke highly of the new boss on the touchline saying after Monday's defeat: "He's a top, top coach. I think he's very demanding which is what you want as a young player. He has a good line of communication with us.

"The way we want to play is quite intense and we want to work hard and get after teams and I think that's what we want to implement. It takes time to get used to this system and I think we're definitely doing that and we showed everything which the manager would've wanted from us today and it can only go up."

Press play above to hear the King interview in full or listen on BBC Sounds here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been clear that he is happy with the club's business so far, but more could be done to make his squad more balanced.

There have been attempts to sign an additional central defender, with a move for Rennes' Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal explored two weeks ago, and that could be a key area the Cottagers look to strengthen.

This is a club that does not operate at the very top end of the transfer market and one that enjoys a deadline-day deal.

John Charles, Fulham fan

It still feels like Fulham need a right winger - whether that is sticking with Oscar Bobb or providing serious competition for him. I think we need to cover for the loss of Harry Wilson's goals.

We also need a right-sided centre-back as there are serious concerns over how Joachim Anderson will fit Arbeloa's new system.

What business do you think still needs to get done before 23:00 BST on 1 September?

Get in touch with your views here

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League history was made before a ball was even kicked this season as a record nine clubs started the campaign with new managers.

Alvaro Arbeloa got his first taste of action as Fulham head coach after succeeding long-servant Marco Silva at Craven Cottage.

So how did he fare on an eventful first weekend of the 2026-27 campaign?

It was a tough opener - and conceding within the first minute did not help Arbeloa's cause as he builds after taking over from Silva.

It is already clear he needs to make sure Fulham can find some goals, although he will be delighted young debutant Gonzalo Garcia got off the mark. It was more of a struggle for the other new arrival from Real Madrid, Cesar Palacios.

The jewel in Arbeloa's crown will be 19-year-old Josh King, who he described as "unbelievable". It is already clear the youngster will bear a heavy weight of responsibility under Fulham's new management.

Read Phil's thoughts on how the rest of the new faces fared here

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Fulham and Chelsea.

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

John: It was always going to be tough against Chelsea's attacking riches but we were not helped by conceding such soft goals at the start of each half. We struggled to cope with Cole Palmer throughout, and he looked like a player with a point to prove. On the upside, we responded well and posed a threat ourselves. Josh King was particularly impressive and appears to be maturing nicely. Alvaro Arbeloa has to be afforded patience, but we need to adapt and learn fast.

Sam: Despite the loss to a very strong Chelsea team, it was a good showing from the young talent and new recruits, which makes me positive Fulham will not go down this season and could potentially push for a European spot.

Gordon: Well done, the Whites! A good start in a game we thought we would be second best in. For times, we rocked Chelsea and showed why we are in the Premier League. King has his goal this season, and Gonzalo Garcia too, Now we can kick on. Get a centre-back, another midfielder and a goalie to challenge Bernd Leno and we will be great!

Aaron: Never nice to lose to that lot, but a lot of promise from the display. If only Antonee Robinson hit the target...

Chelsea fans

James: In an attacking sense, brilliant. The defence was once again an issue and Levi Colwill was lucky not to be sent off. It seems glaringly obvious that Robert Sanchez is just not good enough to be number one. I would like to see Mike Penders given a chance - or Emi Martinez signed from Aston Villa.

Jonty: The front three are world class, the back four less so and Sanchez is a calamity! Time for the club to purchase a world-class keeper or they can kiss goodbye to silverware.

Dell: Decent performance for the first game. The frontline looked good, but defensively we were suspect at times, especially after Fulham got their first goal. Sanchez was Sanchez, unfortunately,. We need a top-class keeper.

NJ: So many changes, same old Chelsea. Great up front, but our defence has never reached the Terry-Carvalho years! Give Penders a shot in goal because Sanchez is not consistent enough.

Steven Sutcliffe
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

This was the fourth occasion that Fulham had started a Premier League season with a London derby and they have now lost all four.

However, on the night when Alvaro Arbeloa was also in a Premier League dugout for the first time - and against the man he replaced briefly at the Bernabeu earlier this year - there were plenty of positives in defeat.

Gonzalo Garcia, a player he recruited from his former employers over the summer, made an immediate impression with some excellent movement and exhibited predatory instincts to open his account in England.

In doing so, he became the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Fulham since Chris David in May 2014 against Crystal Palace.

But the standout performer in white was Josh King, who is still only 19, already an England Under-21 international and looks to be a star in the making.

At times, he was Fulham's driving force in midfield and was unfortunate to drag a late effort wide that might have given the home side a point.

Fulham starting XI:

Bernd Leno: The German goalkeeper was not particularly at fault for any of Chelsea's goals but still couldn't stop them. 5

Timothy Castagne: The right-back set up King's goal and his shot led to Fulham's second, but he struggled defensively. 6

Jorge Cuenca: His poor clearance and mistimed tackle led to Chelsea's opening goal. He was also at fault for the second, failing to stop Lacroix's cross. However, his lofted pass helped create Fulham's second goal. 4

Calvin Bassey: Less culpable than many of his defensive team-mates, but still part of a disappointing display at the back. 5

Antonee Robinson: The United States international produced an important early block from a Rogers effort and delivered an excellent cross later in the first half, but was often caught out of position on the counter-attack. He lofted a finish well wide in the 77th minute with his weaker right foot when one-on-one with Sanchez. 6

Sander Berge: Struggled to dictate the tempo as he had done in pre-season in an unsettled game. 5

Josh King: The academy graduate was Fulham's standout performer, creating chances and posing a threat before scoring the first-half equaliser. Almost produced an equaliser in the 73rd minute from range. 8

Alex Iwobi: The Nigeria international provided a strong physical presence both defensively and in attack. 6

Oscar Bobb: The Norway international's direct running caused problems down the right, although his influence faded as the game wore on. 7

Gonzalo Garcia: On his debut, Garcia provided a useful focal point in attack in a difficult match for Fulham. He helped relieve pressure after long spells of Chelsea possession and was rewarded with a close-range header in the second half. 7

Cesar Palacios: The new signing worked hard on his debut, but little came off for him, including a long-range effort that flew well over the bar in the first half. 5

Fulham substitutes:

Shea Charles (on 67, Bobb): The new signing from Southampton produced some dangerous long balls as Fulham pushed for an equaliser. 6

Kevin (on 73, Palacios): Did little to influence the game. 5

Ryan Sessegnon (on 73, Berge): His running in-behind threatened down the left and he forced a good save from Sanchez. 6

Rodrigo Muniz (on 82, Robinson):5

Subs not used: Lecomte, De Gougerolles, Tete, Reed, Kevin, Smith Rowe.

Read the full article and see how you rated the players

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We concede goals in the first minute, the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half and there are not worse moments to concede. But we showed character and personality and I am very proud of how my players responded. We deserved a little bit more but football is not about what you deserve, it is about what you take.

"If you lose against a team like Chelsea they [should] have to do a little bit more. For me, they are easy goals for them and mistakes we cannot make. We need to improve and be more ready in the first minute, that is for sure.

"We are on our way and we will keep improving. The first thing I want to see is a competitive team. We were tonight, we tried our best and tried to play our football against a team like Chelsea, which is not easy.

"I believe in them and I believe in young players. I think they have the energy and ambition I want and they fit in the way I play. Josh King is absolutely amazing. What a player you have here and I am really happy with him. Gonzalo [Garcia] scored and Cesar [Palacios] did well. I think they need a bit more time but they are doing great and making an impact already."

Did you know?

• Gonzalo Garcia became the first player to score on his Premier League debut for Fulham since Chris David in May 2014 vs Crystal Palace.

• Josh King became the third Fulham player to net multiple goals as a teenager in the Premier League (two), along with Collins John (nine) and Ryan Sessegnon (two). He is the first teenager to score in the opening game for any club since 18-year-old Evan Ferguson for Brighton in 2023-24.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Chelsea's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies.

Matt Jones
BBC Sport journalist

Week one of the 2026-27 Premier League season signals the start of a new era for London rivals Fulham and Chelsea. They meet on Monday night (20:00 BST) at Craven Cottage.

The home side have a new coach in the dugout for the first time in five years. Marco Silva moved on at the end of last season following the expiration of his contract, and Fulham made the bold choice to appoint former Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement.

As for Chelsea, after a tumultuous 2025-26 season in which they had three different head coaches, they have opted for Xabi Alonso – another former Real Madrid boss – to steady the ship and take the team forward.

Bouncing back after Los Blancos

For Alonso and Arbeloa, this season will be about shaking off challenging respective campaigns in the Spanish capital.

The former took charge of Los Blancos at the start last season and was replaced by his former Liverpool team-mate after being sacked in January. Arbeloa also found the Madrid squad too tricky to tame and was given his marching orders at the end of the season.

A fresh start should do both of them good in theory. Arbeloa has sought to bring some gems from the Bernabeu with him to west London, though, with Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios signing from Real Madrid.

They could help Arbeloa make an early imprint on a squad that was forged in Silva's image over five years. A fast start is something that has eluded the Cottagers in recent seasons too, as they have won just one of their past six Premier League openers.

Change of plan for Chelsea?

After being appointed in May, Alonso has had plenty of time to put together his plan for the new campaign.

While Chelsea have spent big again, there has been a shift in their transfer strategy. Across the previous seven transfer windows, the Blues have signed 30 players at an average age of 20.5; this summer, they have added eight first-team players with an average age of 25.6.

The arrivals of 35-year-old Danny Welbeck and 36-year-old Jordan Henderson would indicate that Alonso feels some experience is essential in what remains a young squad.

They will both be keen to offer something on the pitch too, though. Welbeck, in particular, was fantastic for Brighton last season and netted 13 times in the Premier League.

This year will be a significant one for the former Manchester United and Arsenal man. Welbeck is set to feature in his 19th Premier League season, playing at least once in every campaign since and including 2008-09. This will be the joint-most seasons played by any striker in the competition's history, equalling Jermain Defoe (19) and overtaking Peter Crouch (18).

Welbeck and the rest of the new acquisitions will be key in uplifting the Chelsea squad after the wheels fell off last season in spectacular fashion.

From the start of March, the Blues lost a whopping eight Premier League matches, which was the most of any team in the division.

I worry about Fulham without Marco Silva in charge. They have also lost Harry Wilson's attacking influence from last season and Raul Jimenez, who led the line for them so well, too.

They have brought in Alvaro Arbeloa to replace Silva and gone down the youth route to rebuild their frontline, signing Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid and Swedish teenager Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich.

If I'm a Fulham fan, my concern would be that they always felt stable under Silva and I'm not sure what this new approach will bring.

They were never in trouble last season, but I'm expecting more of a struggle this time.

It is a new era at Chelsea as well, with Xabi Alonso in charge, and I think things will be different there too but in a positive way.

I don't think Chelsea will go from 10th to first again, like they did under Antonio Conte 10 years ago, because they had a much stronger team then.

But they have got Cole Palmer - and Morgan Rogers is an exciting signing. Alonso is a breath of fresh air too, and I think he will begin with a win.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Wigan Athletic have signed Fulham midfielder Luke Harris on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old has previously had loan spells in the EFL with Exeter City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers.

He is the third player to join the Latics on loan from a Premier League side this week after Reggie Walsh and Charlie Gray signed season-long deals from Chelsea and Manchester City respectively on Wednesday.

Harris, who played under Wigan boss Gary Caldwell during his time with Exeter, could make his debut at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Craven Cottage (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arbeloa confirmed midfielder Thomas Cairney will be unavailable after surgery on his left knee in the summer, plus Joachim Anderson is out through suspension.

• On transfers: "We can make the squad stronger and more balanced, but I am happy with the way the club is at this moment this summer. We brought in three players, we are still working on it."

• He added about Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, who were brought in from Real Madrid: "They are talented players - young players with ambition. They fit with the way we want to play and they know what I expect from them. I'm happy to have them here with me. I think they will both do very well this season."

• On the start to the season: "Football is about what you're going to do to achieve things. The players have a very good attitude. We need to improve for sure - there are many new things, so we need time. We have a difficult month ahead of us, but this month will not define us."

• On facing Xabi Alonso with their history together at Real Madrid and Liverpool: "We analysed Chelsea the way we do every team. I know well because I watched so many of his games of his teams, but we know it won't be easy. They're a very strong squad with top players. They have made good signings. We have to be ready."

• Asked whether they have spoken in the build-up to the game: "A few days ago but we didn't talk about football because our families are coming over to London. We are very good friends. On Monday night we will be down on the touchline, so close, and we will do everything for our club. For 90 minutes we will give everything for our clubs. For 90 minutes we are not friends. We both want to win that game."

• Asked whether he understands the importance of the west London derby: "I know how important that game is for our supporters. It's also very important for everyone at the club and for us, for the players, for me. It's the first game of the season, the first game at Craven Cottage. So we are ready, we are excited and of course we can't wait for the game."

• He added: "It will be so important if we win against Chelsea. The only thing I can think about is our performance, to be ready to play. We are working very, very hard."

• On home advantage for the opener: "Craven Cottage was always a very difficult place to come. You can feel the supporters are very close to the pitch and now I want to feel that special moment as Fulham's head coach. For us, [the fans] will be so important if we want to win games at home. I can't wait for Monday."

• Asked about his predecessor, Marco Silva: "Marco did a very good job and he deserved that recognition because he did very, very, very well and the players were so happy and so comfortable with him. Now is a new time with a new manager, but it has been so easy for me. Everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome so I'm so happy and I enjoyed this time."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Fulham? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Fulham were once again a solid mid-table Premier League outfit under manager Marco Silva as they finished between 10th and 13th for the fourth successive season since being promoted in 2022.

They ranked in mid-table for almost every major statistic, with the exception being that only bottom club Wolves and Crystal Palace had a worse shot-conversion rate. But even then, since only five teams created lower-quality chances on average than Fulham, the Cottagers scored just one goal fewer than they should have based on expected goals.

So Silva's successor Alvaro Arbeloa may look to improve the quality of chances Fulham create and he is also likely to do the same with the ones they concede. While their defensive stats were also solid overall, only Chelsea and Manchester City gave up easier chances to score at the back.

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

In the Premier League last season, 13 of the 20 teams finished with between 40 and 60 points - the most in an English top-flight campaign since 2003-04 (also 13).

Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.

Given how savvy clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to sign the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.

However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.

What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 - champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - took 79 points fewer between them last season.

While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.

Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.

As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.

Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?

Read more on the Premier League's competitiveness

Last season: 11th.

This season: 16th.

Fulham are another club under new management after the departure of Marco Silva to Benfica, with Alvaro Arbeloa now in charge after a spell at Real Madrid.

The appointment, as with so many, is a gamble - but Fulham have established themselves in the Premier League, so they will want another season of stability.

Shea Charles showed real touches of class with Southampton so plenty will be expected of him, while Arbeloa has gone with what he knows by signing Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid.

Stability will be satisfactory.

• Read more of Phil's predictions

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Question from Staffs: Any news on a centre back for Fulham? No replacement for Diop is a concern.

Fulham have four central defenders: Calvin Bassey, who was recently lauded by Alvaro Arbeloa, Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca. The trio are joined by Luc de Fougerolles, who spent last season on loan in Belgium.

It is clear they are at least testing the market for a centre-back, having held talks over a move for Rennes defender Abdelhamid Ait-Boudlal.

It speaks towards Fulham are looking at signing one but within their limits and with options to use in their squad if they fail to do so.

Fancy testing your football prediction skills? With the new season under way, BBC Sport has just the thing to keep you entertained every week.

After the success of our World Cup Predictor game, we've rebranded it for the club season as Match of the Day Predictor.

It's simple to play - just predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

And don't worry if you've joined late - players can join at any time, get involved with the latest round and start building a streak.

Once you've submitted your predictions, you'll also be able to see what others think the outcome of the match will be.

Read more about it here

You can find the predictor in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or click here to play

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Last season, the Premier League was arguably more competitive than it has been for years.

While the 65 points between champions Arsenal and bottom side Wolves was around the average for a 38-game season (63), a real revolution took place in mid-table.

Since the league was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, the gap between the top four and the bottom three – between what has often been the Champions League and the Championship – had been increasing as the seasons went by, with the 'bigger' clubs profiting from their European adventures and the extra money they earned by regularly finishing higher in the table.

But last season, the gap between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' of the Premier League dropped from 44 points in 2024-25 to just 26 points – the smallest distance for 23 years (since 25 points in 2002-03).

The European places were more attainable than they had been for years. Despite taking a point fewer than when they finished seventh the season before, Aston Villa clinched Champions League qualification by finishing two places higher.

While Liverpool took the 'bonus' Champions League place by finishing fifth, their points total of 60 was the lowest by a side finishing there for 19 years and would have put them ninth in 2024-25.

Bournemouth and Sunderland also took full advantage of needing fewer points than normal by qualifying for European competition for the first time ever and for over half a century respectively.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers