Fulham are back in the Premier League and it looks as if Marco Silva and co. are doing bits to stay up this time around. Signings and yet more signings, but tactically recruiting the players who can really make the difference in the squad. Andreas Pereira has already been unveiled at Craven Cottage, as well as João Palhinha from Sporting, and now the Cottagers are closing in on the Swiss defender Kevin Mbabu.
The 27-year-old right-back currently plays for the Bundesliga club Wolfsburg and has quite made a reputation for himself. But before his merrier German days came the struggle of England and Switzerland. For all those of you who don’t know, Mbabu was a Newcastle player once and stayed there for like 4 years. Although he was on loan for most of that time, still, one could say that he possesses a little bit of Premier League experience as well.
However, the journey as a magpie was finally over for the Swiss Internarom in 2017 and he was only able to muster 3 premier league appearances during his time at the St. James’ Park. Mbabu soon moved to BSC Young Boys to compete in the Swiss League and went on to win back-to-back titles with YB. Moving to Switzerland proved really vital for the Right back as he made his way into the playing XI and was finally getting the game time that he deserved to get!
In total, he made 105 appearances for the Young Boys- scoring 5 goals in the process and assisting another. Mbabu showed great skills, versatility, commitment, and the willingness to put his body on the line, and get his team out of danger. These qualities made him stand out from a group of players, and BSC Young Boys seemed to have run out of options but to sell the player to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2019.
The first season ( 2019/20) on the German grounds went well in terms of the number of goals that Mbabu contributed 6 goals and 6 assists. But the following two seasons the Swiss international also showed that he could play as a centre-back or even as a midfielder, in an aggregation of about 60 appearances. This show of versatility lessened his goal contributions directly, but at the same time, it also helped build stability on the side. While this might sound ironic, it also stands true in the Mbabu – Wolfsburg case.
Now it has been 3 years since he joined Wolfsburg, and he has had an effect on the side from roughly all the positions (barring Attack and Goalkeeping). Thus, a question that pops up is – Who would not want such a player who possesses an array of skills?! And it appears as if Fulham is one of such clubs who would not want to miss out on the Swiss’ services.
According to multiple reports, Fulham are seemingly close to signing Kevin Mbabu in what would be their 3rd big signing this summer. The Player’s representatives are said to have been in talks with the English club for a deal that could be worth around £7m. This could prove to be a great opportunity for Mbabu who would want to redeem himself in the premier league, in the hope that a return to the English league would be worthwhile.
On the other hand if Marco Silva and co. find a way to land this player who is a great talent, then their survival hopes for next season could get a great boost. Mbabu would not only fill in that vacant Right back spot but would also allow Silva to rest easy, by providing an experienced cover at the Centre of the defence and in midfield.
The Cottagers are hoping for this move to go through, as the next few days will be key owing to the continuous development of the saga.
