Arriving in September, Alphonse Aréola was the man Fulham chose to keep their nets safe in the Premier League.
The Frenchman had just spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Real Madrid, where he mostly played second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois before returning to Paris Saint-Germain.
Once there, it was made clear he wasn’t the number one choice, with Keylor Navas given that role by Thomas Tuchel, meaning another move was needed to stop him from stagnating even further.
Fulham were the chosen ones, and apart from sitting out the 3-0 loss to Arsenal on opening day, the Frenchman has been used by Scott Parker for every game since, conceding 15 goals in eight games and keeping just the one clean sheet.
The Cottagers were always going to be part of the relegation battle, and even with Aréola in goal, wins have been hard to come by.
🗨️ "Tant que je suis sous contrat, c'est pas fini !"
Alphonse Areola se confie sur son expérience au PSG 🎙️💬#CFC pic.twitter.com/jJ7IKYwWfM
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) November 28, 2020
Fulham have an option to make the 27-year-old’s move permanent if they so wish, but it appears the three time France international has his eyes set on winning back that Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper job if he can get it.
Speaking to Canal Football Club over the weekend, he said: “I left, I came back, I left again just to be able to express myself more. As long as I’m under contract (at Paris Saint-Germain), it’s not over. I’m here”.
Aréola’s deal in the French capital is due to expire in 2023, meaning there is still time for him to get his wish, all depending on whether Fulham stay up and decide to try and convince him to stay.
