Marco Silva’s Fulham: The Most Underrated Tactical Project in the Premier League

Why Fulham’s Underlying Numbers Prove Marco Silva Deserves More Credit.

Introduction

While Nottingham Forest under Nuno Espírito Santo are rightly earning praise for their resurgence, Fulham’s impressive season under Marco Silva has flown somewhat under the radar. But for those who dig deeper into the numbers, Fulham’s performances suggest something remarkable is happening at Craven Cottage.

Despite sitting ninth in the Premier League, the underlying data suggests they should be as high as fourth. This isn’t a fluke—this is the result of Silva’s tactical adaptability, strong recruitment, and exceptional player development.

Fulham have moved beyond being a classic “yo-yo club” and are now a genuinely competitive top-flight side. But how exactly has Silva transformed them, and why does the data suggest they deserve even more credit? Let’s dive in.

Marco Silva is doing an impressive job

Marco Silva’s Impact

When big managerial jobs at clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool became available, Marco Silva’s name was rarely mentioned. But should it have been?

Since taking over Fulham in 2021, Silva has not only guided them to promotion but also secured their place in the Premier League with impressive finishes of 10th and 13th. This season, they look even better—playing some of the most balanced and effective football in the league.

What makes this particularly impressive is that Silva has done this while evolving Fulham’s tactical approach. Unlike many promoted teams that stick to a rigid identity, Fulham have shown remarkable flexibility, shifting between possession-based football and a more direct, counter-attacking style when necessary.

This adaptability has made them unpredictable and tough to break down. The data backs it up.

A Tactical Blueprint for Success

One of the biggest reasons behind Fulham’s strong performances this season is their tactical versatility. Marco Silva has built a team that can adapt to different situations, making them unpredictable and dangerous.

• Control in Possession – Fulham are comfortable keeping the ball and patiently building attacks, ensuring they can break down compact defenses.

• Direct and Vertical Play – When space opens up, they can transition quickly, moving the ball forward with purpose to create chances in just a few passes.

• Counter-Attacking Threat – Their speed and movement allow them to punish teams on the break, making them one of the most efficient sides in transition.

• Defensive Stability – Despite their attacking intent, they remain well-organized at the back, limiting high-quality chances against them.

Silva’s ability to balance structure with attacking freedom has made Fulham a difficult team to face. Whether they dominate possession or play on the counter, they always seem to find ways to compete—and their results show just how effective this approach has been.

Recruitment & Player Development

A key part of Fulham’s resurgence has been smart recruitment and elite coaching under Marco Silva. Despite losing key players like João Palhinha to Bayern Munich and Aleksandar Mitrović to Al Hilal, their main goal-scorer, Fulham have maintained their attacking output and improved defensively—a testament to Silva’s adaptability.

Silva has revitalized the careers of players like:

• Alex Iwobi – Among the Premier League’s top chance creators, ranking sixth for expected assists (xA).

• Emile Smith Rowe – Finally getting regular minutes and proving his worth with 0.38 goal involvements per 90 minutes.

• Bernd Leno – One of the most consistent and reliable goalkeepers in the league.

Even after major squad turnover, Fulham have actually conceded fewer shots per game than last season and significantly improved their xGA per match.

This all highlights Silva’s ability to maximize his squad’s potential, proving that his tactical flexibility and player development skills are among the most underrated in the league.

Fulham Are Exceeding Expectations—But Can They Sustain It ?

Premier League Teams Ranked by Expected Points

According to Understat’s expected points (xPTS) model, Fulham’s performances suggest they should be as high as fourth, ahead of several traditionally bigger clubs.

However, while they have been one of the league’s most consistent sides in terms of underlying numbers, their lack of efficiency in both boxes has held them back—scoring fewer goals than expected and conceding more than they should have. If they can sharpen up in attack and tighten up defensively, they could make a serious push for European football.

Similarly, Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola have been another team performing well but not getting the results they deserve. Their xG numbers indicate they should be scoring far more than they have, highlighting how much they’ve underperformed in front of goal. Despite this, Iraola has implemented an exciting, aggressive style of play that is keeping them competitive.

With the Premier League table as tight as it is, a few good results could see Fulham climb up the standings, while Bournemouth could also see a significant jump if they start converting their chances. Regardless, both teams are well on track for solid top-half finishes.

Conclusion

Marco Silva has transformed Fulham from a relegation-prone club into a serious Premier League outfit. Their tactical versatility, smart recruitment, and overperformance in key metrics all point to a manager who deserves far more credit than he’s getting.

If Fulham can maintain their trajectory, they won’t just be overperforming xPTS—they’ll be turning those underlying numbers into actual success.

What do you think? Should Silva be considered for a bigger job, or is Fulham the perfect fit for him? Let’s discuss!