Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Thursday’s Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Centre-back Joachim Andersen and midfielder Harrison Reed remain out, but Silva has no other injury concerns. Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic are suspended but Andreas Pereira is available.
Asked about potential incomings during the January transfer window, Silva said: “All managers and clubs want the same; to step forward and improve if you can. I’m no different. Someone coming to our football club has to be someone who can have an impact. If we can improve something, we will do our best. Of course it has to be right with our budget and the moment of the season.”
Silva added: “For someone to come, they have to be a really good player because we have been playing really well, the players have been doing well and they have to be able to make an impact.”
On the season so far: “I’m proud because I can feel that we all have confidence. Sometimes it comes from results, other times from the way you perform. We all share the same confidence because we all know the way we work and the players know their abilities as well. When you see fans proud, I have to be proud because our job is to make them proud. If we play any side and are at our best, then it is difficult for them [the opposition] as well.”
Silva praised centre-back Issa Diop, who made his first start for more than a month in Sunday’s draw at Tottenham: “He’s a really vocal player in our group, he understands really well our ideas and philosophy as a team. He needs to have more confidence in himself sometimes because when he’s at his best level, he’s always able to step in – like he did in the last game.”
Silva said of Brighton: “They have a clear identity as a club. When they go into the market, they have been able what they really need and want.” He added that their summer spending “shows the ambition of the club right now”.
Listen to Fulham v Brighton commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra on Wednesday
