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Why experienced winger Ryan Babel will improve Fulham’s labouring attack

Max Cohen

Sun 13 January 2019 7:15, UK

Following Fulham’s devastating 2-1 loss to Burnley on Saturday, the claimed the Whites were in talks with Besiktas’ Ryan Babel over a six-month loan deal.

If the reported transfer is completed, the Dutch winger would serve as a marked improvement on Fulham’s current attack, which is far too reliant on Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Although Fulham’s floundering defence has attracted the majority of the headlines this season, the Cottagers frontline is also to blame for the club’s current predicament.

At Turf Moor the Fulham attack appeared largely disconnected, with a lack of positive movement and passing combinations afflicting the Londoners.

All year, Mitrovic’s goals have served as Fulham’s lifeline, but when the Serbian is shackled by physical centre-halves, the Whites flounder.

Claudio Ranieri appears to have little faith in Ryan Sessegnon, who was unceremoniously hauled off at halftime against the Clarets, and the addition of Babel would add extra firepower to Fulham.

With Aboubakar Kamara mysteriously left out of the squad, Ranieri’s attacking options off the bench were weak: Luciano Vietto, Neeskens Kebano, and Floyd Ayite are not the players who will keep a club in the Premier League.

With Babel in the squad, Fulham retain the services of a full-fledged Dutch international who has been enjoying an international renaissance as a key member of the team that won their UEFA Nations League group over Germany and France.

In addition, the winger has Premier League experience from his time at Liverpool, as well as an impressive record of 29 goals and 12 assists in 89 appearances for Besiktas.

If Ryan Babel secures his loan switch to Fulham in the coming days, the Dutch winger could revatilise the Whites attack and possibly kickstart a remarkable survival bid.