SILVA: WE CAN’T KEEP SELLING ON THE CHEAP
Duffy is also acutely aware of the emergence of young, highly talented central defenders Nathan Collins (21), Dara O’Shea (23) and Andrew Omobamidele (20) who will challenge for permanent places in Stephen Kenny’s side in the coming months.
Pressure
“There was no pressure on Shane to leave but, typically, he wanted to play regular football,” said Potter.
“And while he was still part of our wider squad, we could not guarantee him that.
“This move will give him that opportunity, which is really important to him as the captain of Ireland.
“Fulham are also getting a player who has great experience at this level.”
Duffy showed remarkable resilience and application last year to recover from his terrible loan spell at Celtic in 2020-21 where his loss of form on the pitch coincided with a tough time off it.
The former Everton and Blackburn defender admitted he
MARCO SILVA has demanded a revamp of contract policy to stop Fulham losing talent on the cheap.
Liverpool bought Harvey Elliott, then 16, in 2019 for a deal that could reach €5m, while Fabio Carvalho (19) followed last month for a fee worth up to
€9m.
Silva said:
“Everyone knows that the price we sold Fabio was not his price — if he had three or four years with us it would have been a completely different deal.
Longer
“We have to give them longer contracts and if we have to sell them then sell for the right price.
“It is a big step for the club and key for us to do.”
This is Fulham’s third Premier League return in the last five seasons.
Silva backed needed to refocus on his game and duly delivered several months of top class form for Brighton in the first half of last season.
Transfer
(inset)
However, during the final months of the campaign
Duffy found himself more often on the bench despite the January transfer of Dan Burn to Newcastle and Ben White’s move to Arsenal last summer.
Duffy’s wholehearted, honest and physical approach looks an ideal fit for a side that will be
Aleksandar Mitrovic — scorer of a Championship record 43 goals last term — to come good after contributing just three two seasons ago.
He said: “I have no doubts at all he can score goals in the Premier League. “He scored goals in the Championship, he has already scored in the Premier League and I’m sure he will score in the World Cup as well.”
Harry Wilson’s World Cup hopes are in jeopardy however following a knee injury picked up in a behind-closeddoors friendly against Aston Villa eight days ago.
The midfielder faces “more than eight weeks” on the sidelines, says Silva.
Wales kick off in Qatar on November 21.
He explained: “He is a big miss for us but for the World Cup you have to be positive.” scrapping for every point back in the top flight.
“I’ll put my life on the line for Fulham,” said Duffy following his move.
“I’m delighted. It’s a really exciting challenge for me and the club, one I’m really looking forward to.
“It happened really quickly but I didn’t really have time to think about it at all.
“As soon as they came in for me, I just knew it was right for me.
“I spoke to the manager and it was the same both ways, so I am really excited.”