‘Tough decisions’ to be made at Fulham, Silva admits

Marco Silva admits he will have to make “tough decisions” in the coming days over the futures of some of his Fulham squad. 

A number of players are out of contract at the end of the season, including the ever-present Tim Ream, as well as Jean Michael Seri and Neeskens Kebano – who both have options in their contracts for the club to extend their stay by an extra year.

But boss Silva acknowledged that there will need to be changes as he looks to establish Fulham in the top flight following back-to-back Premier League relegations.

Silva said: “Of course we have to improve. We must do it on and off the pitch, definitely, as a club. It will be a tough job but we will do it, we have to do it, because we want to be competitive.

“From today and the next few days I will start to speak with some players as well because as always they listen to me on what the plans are for next season.

“The next few days and next week we will start to have some news about it. But again, the platform is here which they created. They did fantastic and of course it’s up to us now to take decisions.

“Some will be normal decisions, others will be a little bit tougher. But it’s part of our job and we have to do it.”

Silva also reiterated his desire to keep Fabio Carvalho at the club for a longer period but insists he does not know whether a loan move for next season will be possible.

The youngster, whose contract expires this summer, is joining Liverpool.

“You know how I love the boy. I don’t need to repeat again, I would love to have him with me for more time at this football club,” Silva said.

“I don’t have news about it. If you ask me if I would like to keep him here, I’m 100% sure, but we’ll see if it will not be possible about next season. He will not be our football player.”