Dempsey is ready to move on – and so are Fulham

Clint Dempsey has clearly made up his mind.

Despite Fulham boss Martin Jol voicing his hope that the forward will have an abrupt change of mind and play for the club again, the American’s heart is no longer with them – it’s at Anfield.

But if Dempsey does get his big-money move to Liverpool, how much will Fulham miss him? If Saturday’s display against Norwich is anything to go by, not much.

The feeling around Craven Cottage at the weekend seemed to be ‘If Dempsey doesn’t need us, then we don’t need him’ – and the Fulham players showed they feel the same.

If any Fulham fans spared a thought for Dempsey while their team was hammering Norwich 5-0, it was probably to question whether they really need him after all – especially in light of Bryan Ruiz’s performance and the goalscoring exploits of summer signing Mladen Petric.

My thoughts exactly. Fulham will be just fine. 

Jol will need to dip into the transfer market again, but his signings so far this summer look incredibly astute.

Petric looks every bit a Premier League centre-forward and that is no blind reaction to his two goals, well taken as they were.

He didn’t need any time to get used to the added pace and rigour of English football, holding the ball up well and linking with Ruiz and the midfield nicely.

All eyes were perhaps on Ruiz even more than usual, playing behind Petric in what was Dempsey’s role.

Many Fulham fans were frustrated with the Costa Rican last season, when it was unclear what his best position was and he often tended to lose possession.

But his overriding technical quality shone through on Saturday as he grew into the game – and grew into a position he could well make his own..

The new right-back Sascha Reither looked assured too and another considered acquisition.

And with some bolstering in certain positions – other options alongside Petric up front for example – the loss of Dempsey will not be so hard for Fulham to bear.

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