Marco Silva laments Fulham transfer strategy as key trio depart for AFCON | OneFootball

Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze could be absent until late January due to winter tournament

Marco Silva believes Fulham should have better planned their summer transfer window to lessen the impact of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Fulham are set to lose Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze for up to a month after the trio were called up to Nigeria’s squad for the biennial tournament.

Ahead of an intensive festive period, which includes a Carabao Cup quarter-final away to Newcastle on Wednesday, Silva is without three of his key players and the Fulham boss admits the club should have left themselves better equipped to deal with their departures.

“When we signed Chukwueze, we knew it, we should have been prepared for that situation. We have to face the competitions with the players we have."

Silva, who is out of contract next summer, has publicly criticised Fulham’s transfer business, with the club completing the bulk of their signings on Deadline Day.

However, he reaffirmed that while there were no fresh developments in negotiations over a new deal, he remained committed to the club.

“When it makes sense to announce something, we will do it,” Silva continued.

"I'm here 100 per cent committed to the football club, for the fans, for the club. Let's do our maximum everyday. Can be difficult under circumstances, but on paper, it's very simple."

Chukwueze’s departure, which comes just as the winger was starting to hit form, is a huge blow for Fulham and Silva admits that with AFCON held every two years he is wary of becoming too reliant on African players.

"We are very very pleased to have these players with us. We believed in Calvin. I took Iwobi from Arsenal to Everton, then to Fulham.

“We have to be careful, if we sign more (African) players. We have to have the right balance."