A Solid Replacement For Sone Aluko? Why This 20-year Old Is A Shrewd Signing By Fulham

Why Sheyi Ojo Is A Shrewd Signing By Fulham

Fulham have announced the loan signing of Liverpool forward Sheyi Ojo and it means even more competition on a congested looking forward line. Floyd Ayite, Sone Aluko, Lucas Piazon, Neeskens Kebano and Ryan Sessegnon can all play in the two positions on either side of the striker in a 4-3-3, as can Ojo, and when this becomes a 4-2-3-1 you can add Tom Cairney to that list too.

However, Slavisa Jokanovic has struggled to land a prolific striker for the number nine position and may well continue to use the likes of Ayite or Aluko there occasionally, perhaps creating the need for Ojo.

Although perfectly happy on the left, Ojo can play as a modern right-winger, cutting in onto his stronger left foot. In this regard, he could be a fine replacement for Aluko, should he leave or be required up top. So in that regard, Ojo is the right man for the job.

Ojo already has experience in this division, having spent time on loan as a 17-year-old at Wigan Athletic and then later on at Wolves where he scored 3 in 19 from out wide. With another 3 years’ experience behind him and a handful of Premier League appearances under his belt at Anfield we will see a much better Ojo in the Championship this time around and he could prove to be a canny signing for Jokanovic.

At this stage, a loan move to the Championship can only mean playing first XI football every week for Ojo, if he is to progress properly, although it is not sure if Fulham will be able to provide that. For their part though, the Cottagers needed to keep adding quality to a squad which is perhaps not in as good a shape as people thought it to be.

They scraped into the play-offs late in the season after a great run of form and those bursts are not what is required when looking for promotion. Consistency is the key and a part of getting that solidity is by having enough quality in and around the first XI to cover every eventuality.

Should Aluko be unavailable, be played up front, or for any other reason not be in the first XI, then despite their relative riches, they would not have anyone else capable of playing that role to the desired level. With Ojo in the squad however, that will all change.