Four Fulham Key Players Reportedly Unhappy as Arveloa's Position Comes Under Pressure

You might not have expected it, but less than a month into the new season, Fulham have already found themselves involved in a controversy.

After three defeats in three matches, Fulham have reportedly seen four key players — Emile Smith Rowe (Yi Meilu Wei), Iwobi, Kevin Macedo and Kenny Tete — show dissatisfaction, seemingly unhappy with new head coach Arveloa's methods. The situation has quickly made the former Real Madrid coach one of the leading candidates to become the next Premier League manager to be dismissed.

Fulham dismissed Marco Silva this summer and appointed Arveloa to take charge, while also making adjustments and rotations to the squad. However, the results have been disappointing, with the team losing their opening three Premier League matches against Chelsea, Sunderland and Crystal Palace. Along with newly promoted Coventry, they became two teams still without a point. Arveloa has faced criticism from fans, and some key players have reportedly also expressed concerns to the club.

After the defeat to Crystal Palace, Smith Rowe and Iwobi were reported to have removed all Fulham-related photos and information from their social media accounts. Meanwhile, Kevin Macedo, one of the club's expensive signings, had remained on the bench in the first three league matches of the season and posted “B? don't say, don't listen, don't see” on social media, which was interpreted as possible criticism of Arveloa's coaching ideas. Earlier, when a fan asked Tete about the failed summer transfer situation, the defender gave an emotional response.

Reports suggest that players lack confidence in Arveloa's style and are unhappy with his approach of making Fulham more similar to Real Madrid. Earlier, after a Fulham defeat, Arveloa publicly praised the fighting spirit of his preferred players Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios (Shisa Palasios), while reducing the roles of experienced players such as Smith Rowe and Iwobi. This was reportedly a factor behind disagreements within the dressing room.

The club's management does not currently want to place all responsibility on the managerial position, but before the international break Fulham still have two Premier League matches against Liverpool and Manchester United. Based on their current form, the possibility of further defeats remains. Bookmakers have already listed Arveloa as the favourite to be the “next Premier League manager to be dismissed” at odds of 2.5 to 1, ahead of Tottenham's De Zerbi (5 to 1) and Aston Villa's Emery (6.5 to 1).