Stefan Johansen has seen Fulham climb to the Premier League on two occasions since he joined them from Celtic in 2016.
The midfielder’s first taste of top flight football in England came during the 2018/19 season, but his appearances were limited in the first half of that campaign.
He was then loaned out to West Bromwich Albion in January 2019 and regained his place at the Cottagers after they returned to the Championship last term.
Fulham are back in the Premier League this season, but the 29-year-old has been left out of the club’s list for the league.
Johansen, who had a chat with his manager Scott Parker, is disappointed at being left out for the league fixtures.
“I had a long chat with the manager (Parker). He explained the situation. It’s a choice he had to make. Everyone wants to play as much as possible, but now they picked up new players again and this time I became a victim of it. That’s what you have to swallow,” he told VG.
“It is clear that it is a small bang when you participate in two promotions and are not allowed to play more.
“Many new players are brought in, the coaches have different views, and that’s how football works. I ideally wish I could play everything, but I’m old enough to understand that it’s not just ups, but also downs in football.”
The Norway international has made two appearances in the EFL Cup this season and with Fulham knocked out of the competition, he will have to do without any minutes until the end of this calendar year.
Johansen will turn 30 years of age in January and if there’s no improvement in his situation, he will consider changing clubs in the winter market, keeping in mind both sporting and financial needs.
“I have received mixed signals. The manager thinks it was a very tough choice to make, and said he would make a new decision in January. You never know what’s going on. But personally, I have no doubt that I want to play matches,” the ex-Celtic man explained.
“So if there is a similar situation in January, then it is of course appropriate to leave. I almost have to take it when it comes. First, the body must return to 100 percent to be as ready as possible for one or the other.
“Considering the family, that I have a small child, two years left on the Fulham contract and will turn 30 in January, I think there will be one big contract. It will be quite important whether it is here or somewhere else.
“At that age and situation, you will know where to be for the next three or four years. We are very privileged that there is so much money in football, so I will not complain about that bit, but a football career is short. You have to weigh everything against everything, but the first and foremost is the wellbeing of the player and that applies for the family.”
