Manager admits Arsenal loanee has now earned a starting spot | OneFootball

Marco Silva believes that Reiss Nelson deserves his spot over Adama Traore despite the Spanish winger’s strong form so far this season.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United FC at Craven Cottage on September 21, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

After an initial struggle to break into the Fulham starting lineup during his loan from Arsenal, Reiss Nelson has now started consecutive Premier League fixtures against Brentford and Crystal Palace.

Part of the reason it took so long for Nelson to break in was that Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi both made strong starts to the campaign on the wings.

But Marco Silva has now admitted that despite Traore’s performances, Nelson has played his way into the team.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Kevin Schade of Brentford challenges Reiss Nelson of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Brentford FC at Craven Cottage on November 04, 2024. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

“Adama [Traoré] had a fantastic start of the season, too,” Silva began. “Right now, he is on the bench because Reiss Nelson is doing so well. Great competition between them – it’s great for me.

“Good headache, but great for me and for the team as well. If I could play with 12 or 13, it’d be easier for me, but I can’t!”

Nelson has scored two goals and assisted one in 370 minutes for Fulham so far, but he’ll be just as pleased that the team have won both of their league games with him in the starting lineup.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Reiss Nelson of Fulham celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United FC at Craven Cottage on September 21, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Fulham have Wolves up next after the international break, before a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

That will be a big game for Fulham’s group of former Gunners and loanees, with Emile Smith Rowe, Bernd Leno, Iwobi, and Nelson all likely to feature.

Iwobi was also picked out for praise from Silva at the weekend, with the coach saying: “Alex (Iwobi), for example, is being one of the best players so far this season, if not the best. From the first day of pre-season, he’s been so, so brilliant.”

Fulham appear to be reaping the rewards of Arsenal’s departures right now.