Marco Silva believes Tosin Adarabioyo could still feature for Fulham this season even though he was left out of the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
It was reported on Friday that the defender is set to leave the club as a free agent in the summer after turning down a new contract at Craven Cottage.
He had started the previous nine games before Palace visited west London, but it was Issa Diop and Calvin Bassey who took to the field against Oliver Glasner’s side.
“He can play. We have three more games to play. If we need him to play and I decide to put him on the pitch, he’s going to be on the pitch,” said Silva. “Is he going to play again for Fulham? That’s my decision.
“I’m looking for the present. I want to win football matches but at the same time we have to prepare for the future of the club.
“Issa last season was an important piece of our successful season. This season he has some good moments and some up and downs.
“The last two months he had Ramadan and was out of the squad in some moments because Tosin and Calvin had some good moments and a good partnership.
“Issa was always there knocking on the door. We have four central defenders with different profiles and it is up for me to decide. This afternoon I decided to go with Issa and Calvin.
Picture : Keith Gillard
Picture : Keith Gillard
“The first half was difficult for him with the intensity of the game and the pace of the game.
“I am pleased that in the second half we started to see him at his level again. Nice to see him more confident and more brave on the ball. Let’s hope he can continue in this way.”
Fulham were fortunate to make it to half-time without conceding against Palace, with the visitors’ aggressive pressing game making it hard for Silva’s side to get out of their own half.
However, they were much improved after the break and went ahead through a ninth goal of the season from Rodrigo Muniz.
Only a late wonder strike from Jeffrey Schlupp denied them the three points.
“We are not happy with the result but we have to say it was fair,” said Silva.
“Our first half was not how we normally play. Palace were better [than us]. The way they started, they were more aggressive on the ball and off the ball and we were not calm enough to build attacks like we normally do.
“The second half was completely different. It was a tough game against a side that is in a good moment. We scored a nice goal when we won the ball high up the pitch, had a combination on the right-hand side and it was a great assist to Rodrigo.
“We tried to keep the intensity to find the second goal but unfortunately we didn’t, and it was a great strike from Schlupp. We didn’t block that moment and they scored.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
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