Fulham and Lampard face Premier League relegation battle, says Darragh MacAnthony
talkSPORT Football reports that Darragh MacAnthony has named Fulham as surprise relegation candidates in the upcoming Premier League season. MacAnthony believes that Fulham's summer of upheaval, including the loss of key players and the appointment of new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, will make it difficult for the team to stay up.
Interviews & Profiles · 2026-08-07 14:30:11
This story discusses unconfirmed interpretations. Speculation is identified clearly and should not be read as established fact.
Fulham's Relegation Concerns
talkSPORT Football reports that Darragh MacAnthony has expressed concerns about Fulham's chances of staying in the Premier League. MacAnthony, the chairman of Peterborough, believes that Fulham's loss of key players, including Harry Wilson, Issa Diop, and Raul Jimenez, will make it difficult for the team to score goals. He also questioned Arbeloa's managerial credentials, stating that his 64 per cent win rate at Real Madrid is not impressive.
Coventry's Attacking Threat
MacAnthony, however, believes that Coventry City will stay up due to their attacking threat. He praised Lampard's ability to guide Everton to Premier League survival in 2022 and stated that he thinks Lampard's experience will be advantageous for Coventry. MacAnthony also highlighted Coventry's firepower, which includes USA striker Haji Wright, who scored 17 league goals last term.
Ipswich and Hull's Struggles
MacAnthony was less optimistic about Ipswich and Hull, who he feels are yet to strengthen in the necessary areas this summer. He stated that Ipswich need goals and that their standout signings, including winger Abdul Fatawu's £20m arrival from Leicester, may not be enough to keep them up. MacAnthony also expressed concerns about Hull's lack of business, stating that they still have a lot of work to do to stay up.
Conclusion
MacAnthony's comments suggest that Fulham and the newly-promoted sides will face a tough battle to stay up in the Premier League. While Coventry's attacking threat may give them an advantage, Ipswich and Hull's struggles may make it difficult for them to stay up. Only time will tell if MacAnthony's predictions will come true.