Aleksandar Mitrovic: How Fulham’s number nine finally led them to Premier League success | Football news

Four seasons, 24 goals. As for his early promise at Newcastle and a solid season at Fulham 2018/19, Aleksander Mitrovic’s Premier League quality has never been consistent enough to be completely convincing.

Just three goals in his last campaign, a season under Scott Parker where he played the equivalent of less than 16 games, have suggested that his time in England’s top flight could be ended, but then Marco Silva walked through the door.

The Portuguese isn’t always in the habit of making the best of his strikers, with Troy Deeney’s decline at Watford beginning during his brief spell at Vicarage Road while Islam Slimani was much more efficient at Sporting Lisbon the year after Silva moved in.

But Mitrovic was different, and even before the two met, Silva made a special effort to engage his supposed striker, whose career Fulham looked likely to end after him. ostracized by Parker.

“When I signed for the club, I phoned him while he was on vacation,” Silva said Sports sky. “Everything was very clear between me and him. Immediately, he knew what would be the requirements, the plans and the philosophy. From that moment on, he felt that I wanted to get the best. from him.

“I called him to make him feel comfortable on the pitch, with a clear idea. He knew that he always had someone behind him, supporting him, but at the same time very demanding. much from him.”

A change of manager can help any player, but Mitrovic still has to meet those requirements. The 43 goals that later broke championship records for the season are thanks a lot to the Serb’s rejuvenating prowess – as well as his six goals back in the top flight so far.

Mitrovic has been hailed by Fulham fans as the best striker outside of the Premier League in previous Championship campaigns, but neutrals can hardly deny it after a stunning campaign in front of goal. Silva’s demands were met most of all, when the striker was completely out under the direction of a manager who he said had “brought the x-factor” back to Craven Cottage.

It also helps to have Harry Wilson, whose return to the Premier League was delayed by injury, behind him. The Wales international created 102 chances and recorded 19 assists in the 2021/22 season, topping the Championship standings on both numbers.

Even so, Fulham have only 12 per cent more shots than nearest rival Coventry, but their 106 goals represent a whopping 43 per cent more than second-highest scorer Bournemouth.

Therefore, both Mitrovic and his teammates have to play in the center. The 27-year-old hit an xG performance of 35.9 all season, the highest in the league, thanks to his teammates’ creativity as well as his own attacking play and moves.

But he also matches that by comfortably surpassing that score, scoring more than seven goals beyond what is expected from the quality of opportunities he is presented with.

To see how many appearances he’s made, compare that to his last season in the Championship, in 2019/20, and his 26-goal tally is just 0.53 more than that. his expected number of goals. Still good, but much less noticeable. He’s also hit double figures in the Premier League before, in Fulham’s 2018/19 campaign, but he’s never quite accomplished that – until now.

How did he improve things? While that’s a small sample size, his six goals in the Premier League this season is a good sign. Mitrovic has always been strong on the ball but his ability to target full-backs and his ability to find teammates kept him from finishing, and almost doubled his header rate. him last season compared to his previous championship. campaign.

Just 32 minutes into the season, he has shown his impeccable ability, beating Trent Alexander-Arnold in the post after a precise Kenny Tete cross and scoring Fulham’s first goal of the campaign. A few weeks later, he had another bout against Brentford, isolating Yoane Wissa before powering a last-minute winner past David Raya.

“Defenders don’t have to face players like Mitrovic very often, so maybe it’s the physicality he brings to the game, the ability to hold the ball, central defenders don’t see that often,” the former said. Fulham striker Bobby Zamora says Sports sky after another stellar performance against Arsenal at the end of August.

“Man Utd are currently signing a five-foot-nine centre-back, so Mitrovic will bring something to the Premier League that we don’t see every week, and he and Fulham have to bring those characteristics to the Premier League. We know what he can do in and around the box – he’s dangerous.

“They know strength is Mitrovic. It’s a case of lifting him up, can he hold the ball up, can people get away from him, I used to love that – the ball is coming and The players know you’re going to keep it up, run away from you, the winger goes down the side and then goes back to the box to finish it.”

That effort at Emirates proved what could be his biggest improvement, which was the speed of his work. For the opener, Gabriel lost only half vision of the ball and he quickly overtook the defender, snatched possession and beat Aaron Ramsdale with a brilliant finish.

“Mitrovic is unbelievable,” Silva praised. “It’s not just about the goals he scores. We’re seeing more from him than the goals. He’s not just a goalscorer for us. He helps right-back, he He’s helping the left-back. He’s doing a great job. , great spirit.”

It has been a while in the making. In last season’s championship season, he made 50% more tackles than Fulham’s previous campaign in the second division. Silva’s requests are being met well.

Not forgetting his main role, his finishing quality continues to impress – Mitrovic has comfortably surpassed his expected goal figure, even after spoiling that comparison by missing out. a late penalty against Wolves early in the campaign.

In Zamora’s view, the outlook is certainly positive. He said: “The Premier League is a very, very tough league. He’s not in Scott Parker’s good books, he’s not one of his favorite contenders, so he is. can’t get the minutes on the pitch.

“He’s come back with a great season in the Championship, full of confidence and he’s running on the ground. You want to score as fast as you can, he’s definitely the main man this season. and if they keep getting the ball in the box, he’ll score.”

If Mitrovic can go anywhere near maintaining his single-match scoring record to date, he may be right.