How the Chelsea contingent fared in Fulham’s thrashing of Huddersfield
Chelsea have six players out on loan in the Championship – and three of those were in action when Fulham thrashed Huddersfield 5-0 on Saturday.
Tomas Kalas and Lucas Piazon were both on target for the Whites, while Kasey Palmer (pictured above, with Piazon) was the Terriers’ brightest performer in an otherwise dismal defeat.
Here’s a progress report on their season – and how they all got on at Craven Cottage.
Tomas Kalas
Fulham appearances/goals 2016-17: 9 apps/1 goal
At 23, and with four Chelsea first-team appearances under his belt, Kalas is the most experienced of the trio and is in his fifth loan spell.
His influence on Fulham this season is underlined by the stats below. Prior to his return against Huddersfield, he missed six matches with a hamstring injury during which time the Whites failed to keep a clean sheet and averaged half the number of points than with him in the team.
In the 80 minutes he was on the pitch on Saturday, Kalas was composed at the back, barely wasted any short passes and together with Ragnar Sigurdsson kept Nahki Wells relatively quiet.
He still harbours a dream of breaking into the Chelsea squad, but Fulham will be keen to keep hold of him based on his displays this season.
Fulham with Kalas
League games: 9……….Clean sheets: 4……….Goals conceded: 6
Fulham without Kalas
League games: 6……….Clean sheets: 0……….Goals conceded: 12
Lucas Piazon
Fulham appearances/goals 2016-17: 7 apps/3 goals
Joined Fulham on transfer deadline day, and did not make his debut until the 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on 27 September, so has had less chance to make an impact.
But in the six league games he has played, the Brazilian has shown a terrific all-round game, looking a threat with the ball but also working hard off it.
Against Huddersfield, he managed three attempts on goal and all three were on target, including the header that made it 3-0.
There is undoubtedly more to come from him and Piazon could keep the likes of Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano out of the side.
Lucas Piazon facts 2016-17
Among the most fouled players in the Championship – only six players have been fouled more often.
One of the hardest-working strikers off the ball – no other forward has made more than Piazon’s 2.7 tackles per game
Kasey Palmer
Huddersfield appearances/goals 2016-17: 14 apps/2 goals
Palmer won’t wish to remember the game at Craven Cottage, but it was only the second time he has completed 90 minutes this season for Huddersfield.
The 19-year-old had been rotated in the number 10 position with Jack Payne, signed in the summer from Southend, but has started the Terriers’ last two matches.
His only two goals this season have come against west London clubs, netting the winner on the opening day against Brentford and also scoring in the win over QPR.
Despite his four shots – three of them on target – against Fulham, he drew a blank. But he showed enough promise on the ball to suggest he could be a very good player in the future.
European hero
Palmer scored the winner in last season’s Uefa Youth League final against Paris St-Germain. Four of that squad – Ola Aina, Fikayo Tomori, Jake Clarke-Salter and Tammy Abraham – have gone on to make their first-team debuts.
