Fulham’s first major transfer adrenaline rush of the summer window comes courtesy of Rômulo Cardoso. Who is Rômulo, and how would he fit into this FFC side?
A Rundown on Rômulo Cardoso: Who is Rômulo?
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6’4", 23 years young, with a deft ability with the ball at his feet. Cardoso’s stature would lead you to believe he is a pure target forward. That tells nowhere near the full story. Rômulo has been deployed as an inside forward for much of his career, utilising his physical disposition in wide areas to gain supremacy over opposing channels – both in the air and in behind – as Rômulo takes advantage of his terrific athleticism. The Paraná native’s pace is truly something to be reckoned with. Combine all of this with his Brazilian flair to interlink with onrushing teammates, or beat a man, and it’s fair to say Rômulo has all the attributes to make a complete number nine.
Whilst I’ve outlined the unique skill set that has seen the former Paranaense man gain the interest of RB Leipzig and, of course, Fulham, Rômulo isn’t quite the finished article. Similar to his countryman Rodrigo Muniz, Cardoso needs time to develop. Marco Silva can afford Rômulo just that. He would begin his journey in West London as third-choice striker, after recent reports have confirmed Rodrigo Muniz’s stay in SW6, and Raul Jimenez’s club-activated one-year extension affords the Mexican a final season by the Thames. This gives the Cottagers’ coaching staff the adequate time to improve Rômulo’s goal record – currently a goal every 0.08 shots – almost three times less clinical than Rodrigo Muniz.
Player Comparison: Liam Delap
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Take note of Cardoso’s distinct makeup of attributes, and very few strikers can compare to the FFC target. Liam Delap offers some form of comparison. The 22-year-old man, now on the wrong side of the Fulham Borough divide, showcased similar athleticism, dribbling ability, and aerial prowess, alongside a rawness in front of goal that would lead me to expect a similar career path trajectory between Liam and Rômulo.
The son of Rory took time to develop. The former Tractor Boy’s stint at both Preston and Stoke were mocked across second-tier circles, but given a third bite of the Championship cherry at Hull City, Delap’s physical, yet technically adept profile acclimatised to senior English football.
I expect much of the same from the Göztepe star. Not much should be expected in his first season on British shores, if a move does materialise. Cardoso is a project that could become a star in years to come – not the ready-made product.
How Would Cardoso Fit Into This Fulham Side?
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A target man with a twist, Rômulo’s aforementioned powerful, fast, and technically tricky strengths provide an often vanilla Marco Silva attack with some much-needed versatility and flavour. Cardoso provides the tactical flexibility to open up several more avenues of attack, from a sometimes too-similar striking committee at Motspur Park.
Partner Cardoso’s intriguing set of abilities with his Lusophone disposition, in a squad full of Portuguese speakers, I have no doubt – especially when given the right amount of, lowkey time as third choice, to adjust to life in England – that Rômulo would settle into the Whites’ dressing room.
Should Fulham Sign Rômulo?
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Rômulo is a unique prototype of striker, difficult to compare to many across Europe. At just 23, Cardoso’s age, combined with his physical profile and record of a goal every other game, validate the £17 million asking price that Göztepe have set the Whites – which, if reports are to be believed, Shahid Khan’s chequebook are expected to match.
It’s certainly true that £17 million of the Queen’s finest is nothing to be scoffed at, but in the modern striker market, a chance at a ceiling as high as Rômulo’s is a risk worth taking. Signing players with the skill set of Rômulo don’t come round often.