Fulham playing risky game as quiet summer leaves Marco Silva frustrated | OneFootball

After a club-record Premier League points tally last season, a lack of transfer activity has resulted in concern on two fronts

It has been a quiet summer at Fulham.

The west London club are in talks over signing Shakhtar Donetsk winger Kevin for what would be a club-record fee, but so far, their only new arrival has been back-up goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte.

Fulham have tied down captain Tom Cairney, Kenny Tete and highly rated academy products Josh King and Seth Ridgeon to new contracts, but there is a growing sense they need more signings to strengthen their squad and secure Silva's future as he mulls over a new deal.

Marco Silva, whose contract expires next summer, routinely called for further investment at the end of last season, and he has been left frustrated by their lack of activity this summer.

“We had two moments in our plan,” said Silva ahead of Saturday’s opener against Brighton.

Silva is in the final year of his contract at Craven Cottage

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“We had players we had to renew contracts, to build from there. It's not the ideal scenario. We have been too too too passive. I didn't expect it, but it's the market.”

Silva’s combative stance is not without reason and it has ensured a simmering discontent hangs over the new campaign for Fulham.

The Fulham boss was characteristically on the front foot in his first pre-match press conference of the season.

He feels he was given assurances that the club have so far been unable to deliver.

Where other clubs have been stripped of their prized assets, Fulham have been able to keep hold of the core of their squad.

But they are at risk of failing to capitalise on their undoubted potential under Silva.

After a club-record Premier League points tally last season, failing to signing reinforcements would be risky and perhaps terminal for Silva's future.

Silva is deeply ambitious and acutely aware of the interest in him, having been linked with Tottenham and a move to Saudi Arabia last season.

Fulham kick-off to the new season against Brighton on Saturday

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Silva holds the keys, having restored Fulham back to the Premier League, and knows if the club do not back him, then he is likely to have plenty of interest from clubs across Europe next summer.

It would be unfair to suggest that Fulham are purposefully penny-pinching; this is a difficult market to operate in.

But ultimately, Silva has the ability to take them towards Europe and deserves to be sufficiently backed.

Like many clubs in the middle of the Premier League, depth is an issue, and while Fulham, who enjoyed an unbeaten pre-season, have a strong core of Premier League-proven players in their squad, they lack adept cover.

Securing the long-term future of 18-year-old midfielder King, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, is regarded as a major coup, and his growing influence within the team will boost Fulham.

It's also a big season for Emile Smith Rowe, who struggled for fitness last year after Fulham broke their transfer record to bring him in from Arsenal.

Smith Rowe, who produced five goals and two assists in 32 appearances, showed glimpses of his ability last season, but was criticised by Silva for his physical condition.

It is a big season for Emile Smith Rowe

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Fulham have done well to keep hold of their key players this summer, but in a side that lacks goals, they will be desperate to ensure striker Rodrigo Muniz remains at the club.

Muniz scored 11 goals in all competitions last season and has attracted interest from Leeds and Atalanta this summer. His goals will be key to ensuring Fulham do not get dragged into a relegation battle.

Fulham finished 11th last season but the Premier League offers no guarantees, and their lack of movement in the transfer window means they are playing a dangerous game.

A difficult start, they play Brighton, Manchester United and Chelsea in their first three games, has the potential to add to the worry at a club who have stood still for much of the summer.