How Fulham could line up for the 2017-18 Championship season

Fulham have shown no sign of letting their Championship Play-Off heartbreak set them back in the transfer market this summer, with Slavisa Jokanovic moving quickly to add depth to an already impressive squad.

The retention of Ryan Sessegnon and Tom Cairney, who have both signed new contracts at Craven Cottage, serves as a huge statement of intent from the west London side.

The Cottagers won 11 of their last 17 games in the Championship last season to propel them into the top six, so wholesale changes to the team are not necessary.

Scott Parker’s retirement and Scott Malone’s switch to Huddersfield saw them a bit light in some areas and Fulham’s recruitment team, led by American data analyst Craig Kline, have again looked to Europe to source untapped talent.

Oliver Norwood, Lucas Piazon, Marcelo Djalo and Ibrahimo Cisse are the confirmed arrivals so far, with the returning Tomas Kalas reported to be joining on loan from Chelsea shortly.

They will add competition to a squad already high in quality, so manager Jokanovic will have some difficult decisions to make on August 5th when they host Norwich in the first game of the season.

No more so than in goal, where David Button played the first 40 games of last season before being ousted by Marcus Bettenelli for the final six matches and the Play-Offs.

Despite not keeping a clean sheet, Bettenelli will likely retain his place initially, but the experienced Button will be ready to reclaim his spot should his rival slip up.

Some may assume that Sessegnon’s spot at left-back is secure now that Malone has left but, after his impressive displays on the wing for England’s victorious U19 Euro 2017 team this summer, Denis Odoi could well be a feature at left-back to accommodate the teenager’s attacking intent.

Should Kalas return to Craven Cottage as expected he will again partner up with Tim Ream, as they did so successfully last season. Michael Madl and new signing Djalo will be the players pushing the starting two to keep their places.

Right-back picks itself after the attack-minded Ryan Fredericks impressed last season after his move from Bristol City, getting five assists in 32 appearances.

Fulham were a possession-hungry team last season, completing 2506 more passes than anyone else in the Championship, and as such Norwood and Cisse could have a hard time displacing the central midfield duo of Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen.

If Odoi is selected as left-back, then 17-year old starlet Sessegnon will get his chance in a more advanced role on the left-wing ahead of Floyd Ayite.

He scored five goals last season and the exciting left-sided player could be set for a season to remember.

After re-signing for a second consecutive loan spell, Piazon will likely get the nod ahead of Neeskens Kebano on the right wing - another area where Fulham have good strength in depth.

Tom Cairney, with 13 goals and 10 assists last season, is amongst the best players in the Championship and will surely take up his role as No.10 again, having ignored Premier League interest to sign a new deal.

It seems likely that Fulham will sign a striker before the window closes, with Sone Aluko and England U21 international Cauley Woodrow currently the two options to lead the line.

Aluko may get the nod initially, but it is time for Woodrow, who spent last season on loan at Burton, to show that he is the marksman that Fulham need.

Possible Fulham XI for 2017-18 season

4-2-3-1: Bettenelli; Fredericks, Ream, Kalas, Odoi; McDonald, Johansen; Piazon, Cairney, Sessegnon; Aluko