Aug 31, 2026 7:14 AM
Updated Aug 31, 2026 12:54 PM

Fulham remain winless after two Premier League matches after they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland - but did that show Alvaro Arbeloa and others that they need to invest more before the summer transfer window closes?

Tom Masters reviews Fulham's loss to Sunderland.More Videos

Fulham are winless after two matches after defeat at the Stadium of Light, and the transfer window closes on September 1.

Those are both statements and I am sure they are in the thinking of Alvaro Arbeloa and the Fulham hierarchy after the 1-0 loss to Sunderland.

Fulham have had a decent transfer window in terms of acquisitions.

Gonzalo Garcia has already scored twice since joining from Real Madrid, there have been sparks from Cesar Palacios, also from Real Madrid; and Shea Charles and Jonah Kusi-Asare are also good signings on paper from Southampton and Bayern Munich, respectively.

But, losing Harry Wilson to Leeds and Raul Jimenez to Wolves was always going to leave a dent in the Fulham squad.

That much was absolutely apparent from the moment it was made known that both players would be leaving on free transfers.

The Cottagers squad looks a bit light, having also lost Sasa Lukic and Issa Diop, who both joined Ipswich.

And now, after two matches in the Premier League, there are some clear question marks surrounding the depth in the squad.

Oscar Bobb was signed in January, presumably as Fulham had an inkling that Wilson probably would not stay.

But then when it was confirmed that Wilson would indeed leave, there should have been a reinforcement come in.

Bobb has now started three matches in six days and even though he did not finish any of them, that is still a lot to ask of your only specialist right winger in the senior squad.

Macauley Zepa looks like a genuinely phenomenal talent, but he is only 18, he should not be the next available option.

Fulham have also been linked with a centre back, with Chibuike Nwaiwu and Charlie Cresswell both touted over moves to Craven Cottage this summer and neither materialising.

A right back is also a position that Silva was supposedly unhappy with during his final season, but it would appear that Fulham are going to continue with Timothy Castagne (who has looked excellent under Arbeloa) and Kenny Tete.

This whole exciting era for Fulham needs a squad capable of playing the way that Arbeloa wants to and I think they are currently two players short of doing just that.

Of course, time may tell and this may all be wrong, but as things stand, the early season form has suggested that maybe Fulham do need to address the areas they have failed to thus far and to dip into their pockets for one final time this summer.

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