Fulham thrive among big spenders by giving players second chance to shine
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In contrast to local rivals Chelsea, Marco Silva’s squad is full of players with experience and something to prove. Only two miles separate Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage but Chelsea and Fulham inhabit different worlds. It is a one-sided rivalry – Fulham have finished above their west London neighbours once in the past 41 years – and there are few similarities in the way the clubs go about their business.
![[Marco Silva reaches out to congratulate Calvin Bassey after Fulham’s win against Nottingham Forest.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3bca1287d20fd5066f7260b8504ad5645241ab5c/0_89_1593_956/master/1593.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The contrast when it comes to recruitment is striking. While Chelsea’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, have invested more than £1bn in their unique model of buying promising young players on long and heavily incentivised contracts, Fulham have used their smaller budget to implement an unglamorous approach that nonetheless has them set to enjoy another season making a lot out of a little.
Marco Silva’s side, unbeaten in five matches after last Sunday’s draw at home to Southampton, are six points off the top four and a push for European qualification should not be discounted. Fulham, who have established themselves as a Premier League force since promotion in 2022, are a match for anyone these days. They attack with elan, are well coached and are rarely cowed by wealthier opponents. They have drawn with Arsenal and Liverpool this month and, although they are winless at Stamford Bridge since 1979, they will fancy their chances of leaving another mark on the title race when they visit Chelsea on Boxing Day afternoon.
However, it is unlikely Chelsea are going to look at Fulham and wonder how they do it. There is nothing revolutionary to copy here. Chelsea are focused on data and have tapped heavily into the Brighton mainframe, luring a host of key personnel from the Amex Stadium, but it is hard to see why they would ever want to do the same to Fulham.
