Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe both joined Fulham this summer from Arsenal. The duo are now set to be starters at the London club.
Emile Smith Rowe left the North London club on a permanent deal to join Fulham, while Reiss Nelson completed a loan deal late in the transfer window. Smith Rowe had been with Arsenal since 2010, while Nelson came to the club around 2008.
Both have had a bright start to their Fulham careers; Smith Rowe has a goal and assist since joining, while Nelson’s recent cameo off the bench has seen him catch the eye of the manager.
Smith Rowe’s game against West Ham caught the eye this weekend, with Troy Deeney putting him in BBC Sport’s Premier League Team of the Week:
“He’s decided to turn into an absolute monster and is just doing his thing. He probably had to leave Arsenal to go to a smaller pond and be that big fish. Anything good that comes out of Fulham is through him. He was excellent.” he wrote in his column.
Fulham boss Marco Silva convinced about Reiss Nelson
Following Saturday’s game against West Ham, Marco Silva is confident that the club can count on the Arsenal loanee this season:
“As you knew, we were looking for a winger. He can play left and right. We are really pleased to have him with us. The last day of the market was a really busy day.”
“You can see straightaway he is a skilful player,” said Silva.
“He is going to help us, he has a good pedigree from the last few seasons at Arsenal.
“Now is a moment for him to show his quality. He is going to be involved in the squad.”
The Fulham boss praised the 24-year old’s quality despite Nelson having only played 26 minutes combined in the Premier League:
“He had a very good impact since joining,” Silva told reporters. “I know it was the international break, and not all the players were together, but he made a good impression. In the West Ham game, as expected, he gave us exactly what we needed.”
Forward opted for loan deal due to playing time
After signing on loan, Reiss Nelson admitted that he wanted to play more this season, and that Marco Silva convinced him enough to join the Fulham project:
“I spoke with the boss and he convinced me about the project. It was something I couldn’t turn down. The boss likes to play out from the back. He likes inverted wingers that can play with either foot and combine with the striker. I think that complements where I want to play.”
Many Arsenal fans have wondered about the prospect of keeping one of Smith Rowe or Reiss Nelson during the summer transfer window, considering the Gunners lacked a bit of depth. The team is missing a few key players as they prepare to play three games in the next seven days, with an important clash against Manchester City ahead.
