Can Ghana star Joseph Attamah save Fulham from relegation?
Five points from safety and the battle to survive their first Premier League season back continues, as Fulham try their very best to patch over their side. The January transfer window has come at a rather fortuitous time for the Craven Cottage side and while they are spending to save themselves, they need to do it on the right stars and right areas.
Having hired Claudio Ranieri, the former Leicester City manager will be aware of exactly needs to be done to survive relegation. Thus, he is targetting a move for Istanbul Basaksehir star Joseph Attamah, according to Daily Mail. The Ghanaian centre-back would definitely reinforce their leaky back-line, which is on par to concede a Premier league record number of goals.
Daily Mail further adds that the Cottagers are more than ready to do everything to get a deal sorted out for the 24-year-old star. But it’s no surprise that Ranieri’s second target is a centre-back. With Alfie Mawson out injured, it leaves Fulham with only three fit centre-backs and that includes on-loan Arsenal star Calum Chambers and 31-year-old Tim Ream.
While Ranieri has used right-back Denis Odoi as a make-shift centre-back in his back-three formation, goalkeeper Sergio Rico needs someone solid to protect him.
And few players come as solid as Joseph Attamah, but despite that, the 24-year-old has only made 5 appearances in the Super Lig, which has made him open to leaving the Turkish side. What could prove to be a potential roadblock in the deal is the fact that Basaksehir manager, Abdullah Avci is adamant that Attamah will not be sold despite Fulham’s insistence.
But with Fulham desperately chasing after an affordable and yet solid defender, few players will come as cheap as Joseph Attamah. The 24-year-old has been in fine form in the few games that he has played so far this season and been a reliable option, with the club only conceding two goals in the eight appearances he has made.
Not to mention his versatility to play as a right-back, centre-back and even as a defensive midfielder if required, which further adds to his value for Fulham. Bringing in him helps not only Fulham but also Ranieri as it will reduce the number of players he will have to bring in and the money he will spend.
