Fulham have not wasted anytime in bringing in a top class reinforcement as they prepare for life in the Premier League, after spending the last four years away from the English top flight.

In signing Jean-Michael Seri, The Cottagers have managed to bring in a midfielder with superb pedigree.

During the last twelve months the Ivorian has been linked with moves to Barcelona, Liverpool, PSG, Manchester United and Chelsea. Supposedly Barca had gone as far as agreeing a deal with OGC Nice for the player last summer before getting cold feet at the last minute and pulling out of the transfer.

Yet it’s Fulham that have finally taken the plunge and signed the player on a four deal, for a reported fee of £25m.

Seri told his new club’s website that he can’t wait to get started:

“I’m delighted to be here, it’s a new adventure that starts for me and I’m hoping it will all go well.”

The South London side are getting a player who has been described as the ‘African Xavi’.

The Spanish maestro once said of Jean-Michael:

“He is fantastic. He has what they call the Barca DNA. No doubt.”

High praise indeed.

Seri was a huge influence at Nice and he helped guide the Cote d’Azur club to their third placed finish in Ligue 1 in 2017. During that term he scored seven goals and created nine assists.

In the last campaign, he scored two and created five in the French top tier. He managed over 90% in the passing success rate charts and Fulham will see keeping the ball as a vital way of keeping the ball out of their own net next season.

Predominantly he’s a deep-laying playmaker and as you’d expect he has great vision, possesses a terrific passing range and likes to dictate the tempo of the game. Seri is all about creating chances for his team and he’s got a keen eye for doing just that! The twenty-six year old is also an excellent set-piece taker.

He’s not as strong on the defensive side of things, Jean-Michael won’t win you many tackles or headers but he does get around the pitch and harry opponents into making mistakes. Plus let’s not forget that he’s more of a creative spark rather than being a midfield destroyer.

So why would such a talent choose Fulham? It’s not 2001 after all (when Fulham regularly raided Ligue 1 for stars).

Well all the talk of big interest failed to materialise into concrete bids or getting Seri to sign on the dotted line. You simply can’t wait for ever.

Fulham returning to the Premier League and being in London will have probably helped him make the decision. He’ll also join the newly promoted side, knowing he can go straight into the starting eleven and make an impact. If he shines in the English top flight with them, then maybe then the bigger clubs will make serious offers.

The move shows you how foreign players treat the Premier League as a competition that they’re desperate to play in.

I really believe that Fulham have managed to bring in a top star in Jean-Michael Seri and I hope the Ivory Coast international can prove himself at Craven Cottage and show what a talent he really is!

Posted on July 12th, 2018 by scott
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