Fulham Opinion: Why Chema Rodriguez will be a smart addition for Fulham?

According to a report from Spanish news outlet El Desmarque, Fulham are interested in signing Levante defender Chema Rodriguez.

The Spaniard, 27, impressed for Levante last season as they narrowly avoided relegation from La Liga. The report claims he is very much interested in the prospect of joining Fulham, who were relegated from the Premier League this past campaign.

However, there are other clubs interested in the defender, whose contract at Levante expires in the summer of 2020. That should prompt the Spanish club to cash in on their defender this summer rather losing him next year for absolutely nothing.

Fulham will be hugely disappointed after suffering relegation from the top-flight, almost a year before they achieved promotion by winning the playoff final against Aston Villa at the Wembley Stadium. Scott Parker has been backed by the Fulham board to drive the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Scott Parker, 38, returned to Craven Cottage as first-team coach last summer and took his first managerial role when Claudio Ranieri was sacked after a miserable spell. The midfielder turned manager needs to recruit smartly over the summer and bring in players that fit his style of play, unlike what happened last summer with the Cottagers.

And the first area that Parker needs to prioritise over anything is strengthening the defence, which was woeful this past campaign as it leaked 81 goals—more than any other team in the Premier League. The Fulham manager should start rebuilding the squad from the base—which is the defence—if he wishes to give his team a chance of achieving promotion next year.

And signing Chema Rodriguez from Levante would go a long way in solving the Cottagers’ defensive problems.

Rodriguez was one of the rare bright sparks for Levante in an otherwise disappointing season in the La Liga. Exceptionally strong in the air and a competent tackler, he is a traditional defender who would fit in quickly at Fulham. The Spaniard certainly knows how to make his presence felt in the opposition’s box as well.

Read More Fulham News, Click Here: Fulham News

The likes of Denis Odoi, Tim Ream, Alfie Mawson and Maxime Le Marchand were all very inconsistent for Fulham. Calum Chambers shone in difficult times for the Cottagers but he has returned to Arsenal following the expiry of his loan spell. Certainly, Rodriguez has the qualities to make a difference at Craven Cottage and lead the backline next season.

Verdict

If Fulham can sign Rodriguez from Levante, then Parker would bag a massive coup ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.