Marco Silva lashes out at Fulham for their approach: "I didn't expect us to be this passive"

Fulham manager Marco Silva has delivered a pointed critique of his club’s transfer approach ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season, voicing deep frustration over what he sees as a lack of urgency in the market. Despite a promising pre-season, Silva made it clear that the squad remains underprepared in key areas.

Minimal activity in the transfer window

With just days to go before Fulham’s Premier League opener against Brighton and Hove Albion, the club has made only one addition — goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, who joined on a free transfer after leaving Montpellier. The lack of reinforcements has left Silva concerned about squad depth and competition for places.

The Cottagers had been linked with multiple signings over the summer, most notably Arsenal forward Reiss Nelson, who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Craven Cottage last season. At one stage, a permanent deal for Nelson seemed imminent, but negotiations stalled, leaving Marco Silva disappointed.

Marco Silva’s candid assessment

Speaking to the BBC, Silva did not hold back in his assessment of Fulham’s transfer dealings so far.

“It’s not an ideal scenario. I didn’t expect us to be this passive. I knew what I wanted and the plan was there but it hasn’t happened. Right now we need to reinforce. In some positions we are very short. Did I expect it? Of course not, but the market is the market.”

His comments underline both his dissatisfaction with the club’s pace in the market and his urgency to address squad deficiencies before the season kicks off.

Pre-season form offers hope

Despite the lack of incoming transfers, Fulham’s pre-season performances have been encouraging. Marco Silva’s men won all three of their warm-up matches, defeating Nottingham Forest, Al-Ittihad, and Eintracht Frankfurt in convincing fashion. While the results have given fans reason for optimism, the manager’s concerns suggest the team’s current form may not be sustainable without reinforcements.

Pressure mounts ahead of the opener

With the Premier League campaign about to begin, Silva faces the challenge of balancing on-pitch momentum with the pressing need for squad strengthening. Whether Fulham’s board can act swiftly enough to meet his demands will likely determine the team’s prospects in the early stages of the season.