Gabby Agbonlahor tips surprise Premier League club for relegation battle with new manager

Fulham are taking a ‘big risk’ by appointing Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager, says Gabby Agbonlahor.

The talkSPORT co-host has even tipped the Cottagers for a potential relegation battle next season.

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Arbeloa is close to being named as Fulham’s new boss ahead of next season, succeeding Marco Silva in the dugout.

The Portuguese has departed Craven Cottage after five years in charge to take over at Benfica.

It comes after an 11th place finish last season as Fulham finished just a point adrift of European qualification.

Arbeloa is now set to arrive with just five months of senior managerial experience to his name.

The former Liverpool defender spent the second half of last season in charge of Real Madrid after replacing Xabi Alonso in the dugout.

He was unable to turn their fortunes around, though, as Real Madrid ended the season trophyless.

Arbeloa a ‘big risk’

Agbonlahor has now revealed his doubts over the appointment of Arbeloa by Fulham.

Speaking alongside Jeff Stelling on Thursday’s Drive, he ranked each of the Premier League’s new appointments out of five.

When it came to assessing Arbeloa’s imminent arrival, Agbonlahor admitted: “This is a tough job for Arbeloa if he gets it because Real Madrid, yes, he coached in the B team in Real Madrid, the younger side. Win percentage of 64 per cent at Real Madrid.

“He was brought in wasn’t he, to try and win the league, to try and win the Champions League, to take over from (Xabi) Alonso and he didn’t do any better than Alonso.

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“There were four lads with (Kylian) Mbappe and other players as well as limited experience as a manager. It’s a strange option that Fulham are going for.

“Marco Silva did a fantastic job there and still he couldn’t get Fulham into the top eight to go and play European football.

“I’m going to give Arbeloa a one out of five and I wouldn’t be surprised if Fulham have a relegation battle next season.

“It’s a big statement, but I think Harry Wilson leaving, Jimenez, I know he’s not a prolific goalscorer, has left to go to Wolves as well.

“New manager, how much extra did Marco Silva get out of those players? We saw his aggression on the sideline. Arbeloa is not like that, he’s a more chilled out character.

“So it is a big risk. Out of all the appointments, I’m saying Arbeloa is the biggest risk that Fulham are taking.”

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Summer of change

Raul Jimenez has agreed to re-join former club Wolves from Fulham when his contract expires next week.

Last season’s top scorer Harry Wilson is also set to depart after turning down a new deal.

The Wales international has agreed terms with Leeds United ahead of his contract expiring on Tuesday.

It means Arbeloa will be without Fulham’s two highest scorers from last season ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The Cottagers begin the season at home to London rivals Chelsea on Monday, August 24 – live on talkSPORT.

Following promotion back to the Premier League in 2022, Fulham have not finished any lower than 13th in the table.