Out of sight, but not out of mind.
That appears to be the situation that Stefan Johansen finds himself in right now when it comes to his career at Fulham. The 29-year-old Norwegian midfielder was left out of Fulham’s 25-man-squad for the upcoming Premier League season, and has so far made just one appearance for the U23 side.
In some ways, he’s lucky to even still be at the club, with reports over the summer suggesting that given the influx of midfielders at Craven Cottage, that the club were looking to offload him on a loan deal.
But he hasn’t given up hope of making a breakthrough into the first team just yet. Speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2, he explained that there is still a chance we’ll be able to see him in a Fulham shirt in the second half of the season:
“We just have to see. I keep in touch with him (Scott Parker, the manager) and we have a great dialogue. At least that is what is desirable on my part, and which I have received a signal that it should be possible to achieve, he explains.”
Should the club loan StefJo and KMac?
Yes
No
I like Johansen’s optimism when it comes to his future, but in all honesty I think it’s probably a little bit misguided. Given the array of talent that Parker has at his disposal, I just can’t see how he’s likely to get into the team.
Unless he can suddenly change his playing style and become a centre-forward to offer some competition and backup option for Aleksander Mitrovic, then I think it’s more likely we are going to see him playing for another team come the January transfer window than donning the white jersey for us again.
What about you? Do you think Johansen has a future with us?