How Fulham’s intriguing £157m starting line-up could look if late window deals are completed

While a manager will always want more support in the transfer market, it's never a good if they’re outwardly calling out the club as “passive” in the media with a fortnight to go - but that’s the level of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ Fulham’s transfer market has resembled.

"Am I confident that we will get the players in? There is no other solution,” Marco Silva said on the eve of Fulham’s Premier League opener against Brighton, as quoted in The Standard. We all agree, in any club in the world, if you have the players as soon as you can, you are going to be stronger. If you don't use that time for that, it is what it is. I know the board is working to achieve something, the players I put to them that I want to sign."

Given the job Marco Silva’s done at Fulham since joining the Championship-bound Cottagers, such comments will concern fans with the 48-year-old sure to be near the top of the list for any bigger clubs in England or abroad who sack their managers after a poor start to the season. So it’s imperative some new faces appear at Craven Cottage before September, and here’s how Fulham could line up if they do.

Stars return at the back

Bernd Leno (£8m), Kenny Tete (£3m), Joachim Andersen (£30m), Calvin Bassey (£19.3m), Antonee Robinson (£2m)

It was a sign of Fulham’s defensive solidity last season that Calvin Bassey and Bernd Leno finished first and fourth in the club’s Player of the Season voting, with the Dutchman taking the award, he’ll resume his impressive partnership with Joachim Andersen

Out wide, Antonee Robinson’s FBRef.com page is lit up greener than a photosynthesis diagram in a biology textbook, as he ranked as the highest-rated fullback in the Premier League or among the best for assists, progressive carries, progressive passes received, crosses, total carrying distance and entries into the opposition penalty area.

You name it, if it was an attacking statistic Robinson was probably near the top of the leaderboard and the American will need to emulate that form again this season especially given the dearth of incoming attackers.

Kenny Tete’s defensive brilliance on the opposing flank is what allows Robinson to play such a marauding role, as the former centre-back is set to continue his side of the double-act.

Fulham’s cause for midfield concern

Sasa Lukic (£8.8m), Sander Berge (£25m)

Sasa Lukic shone in his first full season on the banks of the Thames and will reprise that role this season alongside Sander Berge who's grown every season he's been in England.

The problem is behind them, re-signed Tom Cairney adds depth, still going strong aged 34 but Fulham could do with restocking around him.

Change up in attack?

Kevin (£39m), Josh King (n/a), Alex Iwobi (£22m), Rasmus Hojlund (loan)

This is where Silva hopes the magic will happen. Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz combined for 20 league goals last season leading the line but the latter is out of contract next year and the Mexican turns 35 this campaign.

Meanwhile Adama Traore can be the definition of ‘flatters to deceive’ and has never quite had the end product to match his prodigious physical abilities.

So change is afoot, starting with Shakthar Donetsk’s Kevin. Naturally a left-winger, the 22-year is the latest in a long line of Brazilians to star in orange and black and Fulham are prepared to pay a club record fee for the him, they just hope it’s not quite the £43m that Shakhtar demand.

Alex Iwobi flourished on the left so while he's capable of playing across the attacking trio, it'd be worth keeping him in his preferred position and trying Kevin out on the right flank.

In the centre, it was a real coup to extend the contract of 18-year-old Josh King (not the Norwegian former Bournemouth star, he’s at Dammam-based Saudi Pro League side Al-Khaleej if you were wondering) and he’s a real contender to be the incumbent number 10 by the end of the season.

Current club record signing Emile Smith Rowe didn't live up to the hype last campaign and Andreas Pereira’s future remains to be decided, so anything could happen.

Rasmus Hojlund looks the favourite to arrive as reinforcement at striker, he's linked with a move to AC Milan but is clearly determined to fight for his place at Manchester United and remaining in the Premier League on loan would be the best way to do that.