Fulham can look like one of the Premier League's best teams on their day, but the key question is whether Alvaro Arbeloa can make those days come around more often.
Last season's Premier League table placed Fulham in the bottom half. Even so, had they scored just one more goal against an already-relegated Wolves in their penultimate fixture, the Cottagers would have finished seventh and qualified for the Europa League, which suggests they are not far away from making another push.
Instead, Marco Silva has departed for Benfica.
Alvaro Arbeloa agreed to take over in late June, subject to a work permit, after an opening spell in management in which his side beat Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate in the Champions League. The doubt, though, is whether time spent coaching Real Madrid Castilla, followed by only four months with the Real Madrid first team, is enough preparation for the demands of a difficult season in England.
Yes: difficult. Potentially. Fulham cannot afford to let Silva's years of mid-table stability breed complacency, because Arbeloa takes charge of a squad that still needs improvement. Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez either scored or assisted 57 per cent of Fulham's goals last term; both have now left. At least Josh King, 19, and Oscar Bobb, 23, appear set for major campaigns. As Fulham's past appointments have shown, every new manager carries an element of risk.
And being less stretched than the nine English clubs involved in Europe - where Fulham want to be - should help Arbeloa. He could also target a cup run, something supporters of a club that have only been to Wembley for play-off finals over the last 50 years would relish. But there is a warning here: the water may be rising on the banks of the Thames.
Alvaro Arbeloa is a gamble, but a thrilling one. After learning his trade with Real Madrid's Under-14s, Under-19s and Castilla before a brief period with the senior side, he favours a possession-based style built on high pressing, intensity and a desire to control matches.
Ryan Sessegnon has shown flashes since returning to Fulham in 2024, but at 26 he still seems capable of much more. He can be used further forward and have greater influence if Antonee Robinson's fitness allows the American to feature regularly at left-back.
PREMIER LEAGUE: 11th
FA CUP: Fifth Round
LEAGUE CUP: Quarter-finals
Harry Wilson scored 11 goals in all competitions for Fulham last season and remains one of the cleanest strikers of a ball in the Premier League.
The Welshman was even being mentioned as a contender for the PFA Players' Player of the Year as the campaign moved into its latter stages.
Unfortunately for Fulham, both he and veteran finisher Jimenez left the club this summer.
Improve away from home. Only four teams won more home matches than Fulham's 11, but only Leeds, Burnley and Wolves managed fewer away victories than Fulham's four.
We understand it: Craven Cottage is a lovely place, especially for evening kick-offs. But just two more points would have put Fulham into the Europa League and revived memories of the remarkable 2009-10 run to the final, so becoming much tougher visitors has to be a priority.
Lose his shorts during the game: Calvin Bassey. Fulham's all-white strip highlighted just how low the defender wears his shorts - at times, it genuinely looked as though they might come off altogether. Adidas even sent him some boots with the message, “Eyes on the boots, not the glutes.” Cheeky.
Score a goal: Sander Berge. The Norwegian midfielder's last goal came at Craven Cottage in 2023, when he was still playing for Burnley. Although he had 15 shots last season, which was a dozen more than in 2024-25, he remains an infrequent threat, even from set-pieces, despite standing 6ft 4in.
Last season was a sense of what might have been, despite Fulham being poor for long spells of the campaign.
The big talking point is Arbeloa's arrival. Did he struggle at Real Madrid because it was a poisoned chalice, or will this turn out to be an appointment best forgotten?
I won't be happy unless we qualify for Europe or get a trip to Wembley. Things feel a little stagnant.
Our key player will be Oscar Bobb. He joined us in January and I think this is the season he really kicks on for us on the right wing.
Look out for Kevin. The big-money signing found his rhythm late last season.
The opposition player I'd love here is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, to add some creativity in midfield.
The ground I'm least looking forward to visiting is the Etihad. Fulham have not won any of their last 26 meetings with Manchester City, losing the last 20, and it is beyond boring now.
The departing player I'm saddest about is Harry Wilson, a magnificent servant to the club, who has left us on a free transfer to Leeds right at the peak of his powers.
Fans think our owner is sleepwalking. The Khans' failure to plan properly for the long term is making supporters restless.
The best thing about matchdays at our ground is the best walk to a football stadium in the country: through Bishops Park to the Cottage.
We'll finish 10th... with a day out at Wembley.
AUGUST
24 Chelsea (H)
29 Sunderland (A)
SEPTEMBER
5 Crystal Palace (H)
12 Liverpool (A)
19 Manchester United (H)
OCTOBER
10 Ipswich (A)
17 Hull City (H)
24 Coventry (A)
31 Aston Villa (A)
NOVEMBER
7 Newcastle (H)
21 Manchester City (A)
28 Bournemouth (H)
DECEMBER
2 Tottenham (A)
5 Everton (A)
12 Brentford (H)
19 Leeds (A)
26 Brighton (H)
30 Arsenal (H)
JANUARY
2 Nottingham Forest (A)
6 Tottenham (H)
16 Newcastle (A)
23 Aston Villa (H)
30 Bournemouth (A)
FEBRUARY
6 Manchester City (H)
10 Nottingham Forest (H)
20 Arsenal (A)
27 Leeds (H)
MARCH
3 Brighton (A)
13 Crystal Palace (A)
20 Liverpool (H)
APRIL
10 Chelsea (A)
17 Sunderland (H)
24 Brentford (A)
MAY
1 Everton (H)
8 Ipswich (H)
15 Hull City (A)
23 Coventry (H)
30 Manchester United (A)
Fulham to win the Premier League title odds: 500/1
FourFourTwo verdict: Fulham to finish 15th.
There is a chance that Marco Silva's excellent work will only now be fully appreciated, because Fulham's squad still needs strengthening in midfield and attack. A tough run of fixtures before the international break will not make life easier for his successor either.
This feature was written in June as part of FourFourTwo magazine's legendary Season Preview issue.
