SILVA: TIME TO PROVE WE ARE MORE THAN A ‘YO-YO’ CLUB
MARCO SILVA insists Fulham will be ready for the Premier League next season – because they have already started preparing.
The Cottagers won promotion back to the top flight on Tuesday night with a 3-0 win over Preston.
But manager Silva is determined they will not suffer the same fate as the last two times they went up from the Championship – coming straight back down after seasons of struggle and despair.
Silva has ordered his men to ignore jibes Fulham are the ultimate “yo-yo” side – and is adamant the club are in better shape than ever to tackle the intense demands of the Premier League.
But, the Portuguese added, this summer will be crucial for the club.
Silva, 44, said: “We have all the conditions to do well and make a platform for us to be a Premier League club.
“We must not be too concerned about being called a ‘yo-yo’ club.
“We are already working to be ready for next season. Our next pre-season will be really important.
“We got promotion early, so it will help us prepare everything in time.
“The challenge is huge, but if you want to be there, you have to be positive. We cannot go for a season with this concern (relegation) on our minds.”
Silva has earmarked several players he wants, with a £6.3million deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon set to be confirmed in the summer.
Fulham will try to work out another loan deal for Wales full-back Neco Williams with Liverpool, and they want keeper Alphonse Areola – who played in the 2020-21 side – from West Ham.
Silva also paid tribute to youngster Fabio Carvalho, set for a summer move to Liverpool, after he netted his 10th goal of the season.
The Fulham manager added: “With all the rumours around him, it was not easy. But Fabio never lost his focus.”