BLUES SET T0 LOSE CAHILL
the first game of this season. Two new goalkeepers, Fabri and Sergio Rico, were brought in as part of that summer spending spree. Bettinelli was third choice.
Yet, fast-forward to Fulham’s third game of the season against Burnley and he was back in the side.
Not only that, Bettinelli was awarded a new contract after being called up for England a few weeks later – only to find himself dropped again, two days after that new deal, for the defeat to Bournemouth.
In fact, not once did Jokanovic pick the same back five in consecutive games.
So, while Khan claimed to be “amused, astonished and disappointed”, he had already been considering his options.
Tellingly, Jokanovic made it simple for the Fulham chief by stalling on talks over a new deal in the summer.
It left him with just seven months to go on his contract – and all too easy to throw overboard. THEIR winning margin in points as they lost only three ee games all season - home and away to runners-up Arsenal, and against Liverpool at Anfield. DAYS between Leicester winning the league and Ranieri being sacked following a terrible start to the 2016-17 season. ALL of Jokanovic’s Premier League appearances came under Ranieri’s management at Chelsea, having been the Italian’s first signing for the club. CHELSEA are ready to let Gary Cahill leave on loan in January ahead of a free transfer when his contract finally expires in June.
Boss Maurizio Sarri (above right) cannot offer the 32-year-old defender enough game time to keep him happy.
West Ham, Southampton, Watford and Aston Villa were all keen on Cahill (above left) in the summer and are expected to reignite their interest now.
Manchester United, managed by Cahill’s former Stamford Bridge boss Jose Mourinho, are also desperate for defensive reinforcements.
Whether Chelsea would be willing to help rivals United solve a problem position in mid-season is unlikely however.
HULL AND PORTSMOUTH ARE BATTLING TO SNAP UP NOTTINGHAM FOREST MIDFIELDER RYAN YATES IN JANUARY