£12m Fulham star set for surprise position change after Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez injuries
Fulham could be without both of their main strikers, Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz, ahead of a clash against Bournemouth on 3 October.
Jimenez hobbled off with a suspected hip injury for Fulham in their 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa on 28 September.
It was a sign of the Cottagers’ poor summer transfer business which came back to bite them as now both of their main strikers could miss the upcoming tie against the Cherries.
One saving grace from the disappointing defeat was the outstanding performance of Josh King, who was praised by Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
The English youngster is enjoying a breakout season under Marco Silva, but he is not the right man to fill the striker void.
Adama Traore is certainly not the answer for Fulham up top
When the Mexican was forced to depart just 10 minutes into the match at Villa Park, the Portuguese manager made an odd substitution to cover the striker shortage.
Silva was blasted for bringing on Adama Traore in place of Jimenez, who did little to make a strong impact on proceedings.
The Spaniard was unable to muster a single effort on shot in 79 minutes as the former Everton boss was berated for his strange tactical decision.
Traore is familiar with playing as a makeshift striker, having played 33 times as a centre-forward, but has struggled in the role, scoring only one measly goal.
The number 11’s heat map, as demonstrated by Football Insider’s data partnership with Opta, shows how he barely entered Villa‘s box which proves Silva was mistaken to entrust the wide man.
Naturally, the ex-Wolves winger occupied the right-hand side, running down to the byline and cutting the ball back with one big chance created and two key passes.
Therefore, the Spain international is evidently more of a creator rather than a goalscorer, and the Fulham boss should consider promoting Harry Wilson as the makeshift striker.
Harry Wilson the solution for Fulham’s frontman frailties
Sources told Football Insider that Fulham are working on a new contract for Wilson with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
The Welshman’s importance to Silva has been clear to see, with the wideman featuring in every Premier League game so far.
The number eight is far more suited to play as the Cottagers’ striker in the absence of Jimenez, with his selfish tendencies a blessing instead of deploying the selfless Traore.
Against Villa, Wilson had three shots during the game and his heat map also reflects his desire to get into the box.
Whilst his Opta heat map shows that the Wales international was restricted from getting into the box due to his position, he frequently popped up on the corner of the 18-yard box.
Battling it out against Andoni Iraola’s side next, Silva has to unleash the 28-year-old up top if he has any chance of solving his short-term striker crisis.