Fulham were one of a number of Premier League teams to change managers over the summer.
Out went Marco Silva, who succeeded Jose Mourinho at the Benfica helm. Mourinho returned to Real Madrid. Alvaro Arbeloa didn’t want to work under the Portuguese boss following his interim stint at the Bernabeu helm. As such, the former full-back took over the Fulham reins. It was a handy merry-go-round that benefitted all.
For the most part, that rings true for Benfica and Real Madrid. Less so the Whites. Fulham are currently 15th in England’s top tier. They’ve won only two of their 10 league matches. Saying that, after a rocky start, Arbeloa is steadying the ship in the capital.
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Understandably, there were always going to be teething issues in west London owing to a change in the Craven Cottage dugout. Silva oversaw Fulham for five years. That’s a very long time in modern day football. Even so, there is a clear gameplan under Arbeloa. He wants his side to dominate the ball. A 57.7% possession haul ranks fifth in England’s top tier.
Affengruber’s early impact
That’s a not-so-insignificant rise on last season’s 51.7%. And with any team that seeks to dictate the tempo, attacks start from defence. It’s why David Affengruber’s arrival has proven more important than some initially gave credit for.
The Austrian joined from Elche on deadline day to little fanfare having spent two years in Spain. Few in England were aware of the 25-year-old’s capabilities. Yet, in the time since, he’s established himself as one of the first names on the Fulham teamsheet. Joachim Andersen, who was a first-team regular last season, has hardly had a look in under Arbeloa.
Key to that is Affengruber’s distribution. Given Fulham’s increase in possession, they needed a ball-playing centre-back to, well, get the ball rolling from the back. The Austria international has done so to an impressive standard so far. Of those to register at least 500 minutes of gametime, an average of 76 passes per 90 is the 10th highest in the 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
It’s the manner of the passes that have caught the eye, however. Affengruber isn’t one who’ll look to shift the ball left and right to retain possession. Rather, he actively seeks to set his side on the frontfoot from the back. 171 forward passes ranks 25th of outfield players. While not the best, the centre-back has started seven of 10 games, joining after Fulham’s opening three matches.
Bassey partnership key
Crucially, too, is that it’s a metric topped by teammate Calvin Bassey (283). Both centre-backs have not only bought into Arbeloa’s gameplan. The duo have quickly struck up an understanding that has helped bolster Fulham at the back after a rocky start.
Indeed, they’ve kept three clean sheets in the seven games they have started together. Arbeloa’s side didn’t keep a single one in the three matches prior to Affengruber’s arrival. It would have been four had Matheus Cunha’s effort not deflected off the former Elche man and past Bernd Leno on his home debut.
“I started a few games with him now,” Affengruber said of the partnership between the pair last month. “It feels good on the pitch, it feels natural, and this is the most important thing.” A solid partnership at the back breeds confidence, not only in defence, but throughout the team.
Proactive defensive approach
So, too, does a centre-back who has a knack for being in the right place at the right time to alleviate pressure on the Fulham goal. While fans want to see their team play aesthetically pleasing football, at times having a defender on hand to clear the ranks is key.
Again, this is a quality to Affengruber’s game that stands out. Of those to register at least 500 minutes, his 7.3 clearances per 90 ranks seventh. This is a Fulham side that is still cutting its teeth under Arbeloa. Having a player of Affengruber’s skillset bridges a handy gap that enables the Spaniard to implement a gameplan while in the process, brings a no-nonsense approach that’ll ultimately serve the club well.
Affengruber wasn’t a standout Premier League signing by any stretch. However, he’s slotted into the Fulham backline seamlessly. Andersen may have been a loyal servant at the back for the Whites. However, Affengruber brings that much-needed vision and composure at the back that will aid the west London side in their bid to excel under Arbeloa.