Why Fulham should go all out to land Said Benrahma before the deadline
According to the Daily Mail, Premier League newcomers Fulham are planning to hijack Crystal Palace’s move for in-demand Brentford winger Said Benrahma, with Scott Parker keen to make further additions to his squad before the summer deadline.
Palace are understood to be in advanced negotiations to sign the 25-year-old but they are yet to close a deal. The Cottagers have now entered the race to try and scupper their chances of bringing the Algerian international to Selhurst Park. (h/t Daily Mail)
Benrahma was one of the best attackers in the EFL Championship last season and while he has been repeatedly linked with a move to the top-flight this summer, clubs have been reluctant to meet Brentford’s £20million valuation of the winger. (h/t Daily Mail)
Profile
Said Benrahma started his professional career with OGC Nice in the French top-flight but he only made 18 first-team appearances, featuring largely for the club’s reserve side in the lower divisions. He spent time on loan at Angers in the top-flight, as well as at second-tier clubs Ajaccio and Chateauroux, the latter of which yielded 12 goals in 34 games.
That was enough for Brentford to offer Benrahma a chance to shine in English football and the Algerian was an instant hit in the Championship during his debut season.
The 25-year-old racked up 10 goals and 14 assists in 38 league appearances for the Bees during the 2018-19 campaign and bettered that tally with an astonishing 17 goals and 9 assists last term as Thomas Frank’s side lost out to Fulham in the Championship playoff final.
Benrahma would add more goals to Fulham
Fulham have endured a torrid start to life back in the Premier League, with the Cottagers losing each of their first three fixtures against Arsenal, Leeds United and Aston Villa this season so far.
It goes without saying that Scott Parker’s side are in dire need of bringing in defensive reinforcements after conceding 7 goals in their first two league games. But what’s more worrying is that they haven’t really threatened the opposition in front of goal either.
Barring a good second-half display against Leeds, the Cottagers have clearly lacked enough quality and creativity in their attack. That has left star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic to feed on scraps.
Suffice to say, Fulham need better creative players in their attack to break down defences in the top-flight. Said Benrahma, to that end, ticks all boxes to slot straight into the Cottagers’ starting XI in the Premier League.
Those who have watched him play would know that Benrahma has outgrown his humble surroundings in the Championship by a country mile and it would be a real shame if he doesn’t earn a move to the top-flight this summer.
The Algerian has constantly terrorised defences in the second-tier with his guile and trickery over the past two seasons. It is a no-brainer that he would be a massive upgrade on the likes of Ivan Cavaleiro, Anthony Knockaert, Neeskens Kebano and Aboubakar Kamara at Craven Cottage.
Verdict
It might be too early to pass a judgement but there have been ominous signs from Fulham’s first three games in the Premier League this season that they could well face a repeat of their relegation ignominy from the 2018-19 campaign.
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They clearly need better players at both ends of the pitch to survive in the Premier League and a potential move for Said Benrahma could hand a massive boost to their hopes.
The Algerian has already proven himself to be a cut above the rest in the Championship and with Benrahma still having his best years ahead of him, Fulham shouldn’t hesitate to match Brentford’s £20million asking price for the winger.
