Fulham manager Marco Silva believes new signings Samuel Chukwueze and Kevin will add to what Fulham ‘have been looking for’ at the top end of the pitch.
Both players are in contention to make their Fulham debuts on Saturday against Leeds United having joined on Deadline Day.
Chukwueze, who has signed on an initial season-long loan from AC Milan, joined up with new teammates on Thursday having returned from international duty with Nigeria. Kevin, an exciting arrival from Shakhtar Donetsk, has had time to settle in at Motspur Park over the last week or so with no international commitments.
“We believe the profiles of Chukwueze and Kevin will add to what we’ve been looking for in those areas of the pitch,” said Silva. “With Adama, Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi, they’re going to be our solutions for the wide areas of the pitch.
“Kevin has settled in well. He’s working hard to understand everything we need from him. He’s very young, 22-years-old, but he has the experience of playing Champions League and European games. The first time I saw Chukwueze and Jonah [Kusi-Asare] was yesterday, but Kevin is slightly different because he’s been with us for the last 10 days.
“Him and Chukwueze are going to help us.”
Saturday’s return to the Cottage represents an opportunity for Fulham to claim their first three points of the season. Two points from the opening three matches doesn’t tell the full story though, with Silva’s side putting in dominant second-half display in the draw against Manchester United, while things could have - and should have - been different in defeat at Chelsea last time out.
Leeds have adapted well to life back in the top-flight following a two-year absence. Everton, Arsenal and Newcastle is hardly a kind opening trio of fixtures on paper, but four points have been yielded, with two clean sheets to boot.
“Very tough game as always,” said Silva. “When you are in the Championship and you win promotion, that winning mentality and good vibes when you are winning games, if you can keep that going into the Premier League season, it’s very important. They’ve done that.
“They’ve got that mentality where getting promoted means you’ve been winning most of your games. They’ve had a good start to the Premier League season. Elland Road, you know it’s going to be tough for any team to play there, and they had a tough game away from home.
“It’s going to be tough. A very aggressive side with some quality players.”