Fulham: Marco Silva calls for timely January reinforcements after summer transfer frustration | OneFootball

West Londoners were slow to back Silva in summer transfer window

Marco Silva has said he wants to conduct Fulham’s January transfer business quickly, with discussions already underway with the club’s board over potential signings.

Silva was left frustrated by the pace at which the Cottagers conducted their business in the summer, bringing in three new signings on Deadline Day.

Club-record signing Kevin, AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze, and Bayern Munich youngster Jonah Kusi-Asare have all taken time to get up to speed after arriving on the final day of the summer transfer window, and the head coach is keen to be more proactive in the January market.

Speaking ahead of Fulham’s game against Manchester City on Tuesday, the Portuguese said he would not put a number on the amount of signings the club were targeting, but admitted he wanted to wrap up any potential deals in the first few days of the window.

“I don't want to put a number on it,” Silva said in his pre-match press conference.

“These three, four months created a different scenario for us. Of course, we had one or two things last summer that were not possible for us to do, because we had some players in the last days of the market.

“We are working together, myself, staff and the board to see if we can do it and if we can do it quick in the first days of the market.”

Big miss: Antonee Robinson

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Fulham remain without left-back Antonee Robinson, who has suffered setbacks in his recovery from knee surgery, but Silva does not expect the club to bring in cover for the American international in January.

The 28-year-old is still some way from a return to action, but is back doing individual work on the training pitch.

“Let’s see how it is going to be with Robinson, but until now, we are positive, even with this scenario, that is being very, very difficult for us and for him more than for us,” Silva said.

“But we are positive that when he's going to be back, definitely and not with setbacks, because we need him, and it can be a very good signing for us in the second half of the season, let's hope.”

Striker Rodrigo Muniz, meanwhile, is expected to be out until February following hamstring surgery.

The Brazilian’s injury has left Fulham short of options in attack, and Silva admitted it would be difficult to replace him in the January market.

“We have this scenario of Rodrigo that creates a completely different situation in a really specific position. It is a difficult position for us,” he said.

Muniz’s injury has been complicated by the fact that Silva appears unwilling to put his trust in 18-year-old forward Kusi-Asare.

The Swedish teenager arrived on loan with an option to buy from Bayern Munich on Deadline Day, but has so far played just one minute of Premier League football.

“Not any conversation until now,” the Cottagers boss continued.

“Jonah is working hard with us. He's trying to improve as much as he can.

“He's a very young player with some very good skills for the striker position. He knows the things that he needs to improve for the level and for the intensity and all that stuff that the Premier League demands from you, as well as what he needs to do to be a No9 able to deliver what we need at this level. He's working very hard.

“Until now, not from myself, from my side, [there has not been] any contact with his representatives and all that stuff. No, we are focused on the games. When it comes to January, we can talk about it.”