With the imminent departure of players set to take place for Fulham and other teams due to AFCON, Emile Smith-Rowe’s form has shown that he may be able to help Fulham during a period with depleted squad numbers.
With the likes of Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey set to depart the club for a brief period, how may the likes of Smith-Rowe, amongst others, help to fill the void left by those jetting off to take part in AFCON?
Emile Smith-Rowe’s Form This Season
Hale End graduate Emile Smith-Rowe’s form this season has largely been negative due to factors including limited gametime and the resurgence of Josh King. However, the Englishman has started the last two games for Fulham, respectively, impressing in both.
The Englishman was a key player in Fulham’s spectacular defeat to Manchester City, scoring the first goal of four in the Whites’ comeback, converting a header into the top left corner. In addition to this, 95% of Smith-Rowe’s passes in the match were accurate, helping him to accumulate a respectable rating of 7.0 overall, as per Sofascore.
Emile Smith-Rowe’s form from the match against Manchester City continued against Crystal Palace. Although Fulham lost narrowly to the South London side, Smith-Rowe came close to putting Fulham 2-1 ahead, only for his goal to be ruled out by a narrow margin due to offside. Throughout the match, Smith-Rowe looked progressive and energetic, with fans praising his performance due to such aspects.
However, in all matches previously this season, Emile-Smith Rowe has struggled to make an impact, having only started once previously away against Newcastle. Emile Smith-Rowe had only scored one goal prior to the match against Manchester City, against Manchester United.
Fulham youngster Josh King has enjoyed a breakout season with the Whites, starting a multitude of matches and impressing fans up and down the country. However, he has only been able to register one assist this season in comparison to two goals from Emile Smith-Rowe in fewer minutes on the pitch.
Although many fans will be for the development of such a talented youngster like Josh King, Emile Smith-Rowe’s form indicates that he may be a better solution for Fulham at this current stage, due to his attacking output.
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How Can Emile Smith-Rowe’s Form Help Provide Solutions For Fulham During AFCON?
Fulham are set to be one of the more depleted squads during AFCON, losing three players to Nigeria. Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi are all set to depart.
With the departure of Calvin Bassey, Spanish centre-back Jorge Cuenca will be looking to effectively fill that void, as will Brazilian winger Kevin, due to the departure of Samuel Chukwueze.
Emile Smith-Rowe’s form, as well as Fulham’s depleted squad numbers, indicate that he, along with the likes of Sasa Lukic and Tom Cairney, may inevitably fill the void left by Alex Iwobi, who has played in varied positions this season.
Emile Smith-Rowe has shown versatility throughout his time with Fulham. Thus, he may be asked to deputise on the wing or in attacking midfield, with Fulham lacking numbers out wide. Furthermore, with the injury to Rodrigo Muniz, Emile Smith-Rowe’s form will be key to ensuring that Fulham keep adding to their goal tally.
Emile Smith-Rowe’s form has been a positive for the Whites recently, showing that he possesses a high level of talent which, along with his versatility, may be useful for the Whites in upcoming matches.
Fans will be expecting the player to get an increased number of starts, hoping that he may be the spark that helps Fulham turn their form around, having lost seven of their last ten matches.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 29.11.2025
