In recent weeks, rumours circulated around both Rodrigo Muniz heading to Yorkshire, and Ricardo Pepi being the latest FulhAmerica introductory to SW6, are Rodrigo and Rodrigo going to cross paths between the departures and arrival doors of Motspur Park? Should Rodrigo Muniz leave Craven Cottage? Irregardless, is Ricardo Pepi the right centre forward to bring in this summer? You’ll find all the answers below. Keep your eyes moving.
Do Fulham Really Want Another Striker?
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Fulham have been linked with numerous strikers in the early stages of this transfer window(s). Rumours surrounding centre forwards have been the most prominent out of any of the positions – of striker, winger, number eight, and goalkeeper – that the Whites, per Peter Rutzler, are targeting in the next 75 days.
The regurgitating links from the well-connected Mike McGrath and Fabrizio Romano, surrounding Ricardo Pepi, won’t go away. Add this to leading Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu tying Marco Silva into interest in Göztepe forward Rômulo Cardoso, and it leaves no doubt about the desired profile for at least one major acquisition this summer.
A gamble on a physically gifted younger number nine seems nothing but a guarantee this summer. 6’1” Pepi fits that mould perfectly. 6’4” Cardoso does too. This doesn’t consign Rodrigo Muniz to the West London exit door. Bringing in another striker that fits the criteria of your typical Silva nine – especially those of a youthful disposition – is simply smart business.
Should Rodrigo Muniz Swap West London For West Yorkshire?
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Rodrigo Muniz, on form, can go toe-to-toe with any striker on the planet. Muniz has it all. He can play with his back to goal, is a force in the air in both hold-up and goalscoring scenarios, whilst both Chelsea and Liverpool goals demonstrated developing mental and technical skills that would characterise a truly complete striker.
However, the facts remain: Rodrigo still hasn’t put a full goalscoring season together as a pro. Despite being just 24, and being what I see as the cusp of a goalscoring explosion into stardom in 25/26, Fulham would be reckless to not listen to offers for Muniz. If Leeds do match FFC’s £50M price tag, I couldn’t blame the club for contemplating where they stand. In saying that, for for anything less, Rodrigo Muniz should be the centre point of this Silva side.
What Has Caused Constant Strikering Rumours? Are FFC Moving In The Right Direction?
Pair Muniz’s liking for a purple patch alongside Raul Jiménez entering the final year of his Fulham contract – and likely Fulham career – at 34, links around centre forwards are fuelled from being cognisant of the need to plan for life without Raul, a very underrated Lily whites striker, allowing our relative striker stability, in a dry striker market, to permit the stability needed to slowly blood a younger star into a more prominent role as the season progresses. That’s what intelligent clubs do. These links suggest a step in the right direction in recruitment strategy for FFC.
Ricardo Pepi: Brian McBride’s Second Coming?
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Physically capable at 6’1”, with a burst of pace enough to get away from many a defender, the Texas native certainly has the physical profile to mix it in the Premier League. Combine this with Pepi’s 11 goals in five starts throughout the 24/25 campaign, Pepi’s outrageous bench-led goal record showed he’s adept at showing his quality from the bench – a role the American would have to get accustomed to in West London.
Forget the 22-year-old’s impressive goal record; they don’t even touch the sides of the PSV star’s underlying numbers. Ricardo ranks in the 99th percentile, per 90, of non-penalty goals, total shots, and non-penalty xG, whilst further cementing a place in the 95th-plus percentile of touches in the opposing penalty area and successful take-ons. An astounding set of stats.
It’s clear to see why PSV don’t seem keen to sell a player of Pepi’s calibre – especially when you account for the ex-FC Dallas prodigy age, being just 22 years young. I would love to see Ricardo added to an R-led striking trio next campaign: Rodrigo, Raul, and Ricardo. Make Pepi the next member of FulhAmerica.