Forget Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba: Fulham player's stats blow big guns away

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.

Sat 4 October 2025 12:04, UK Fulham have endured two successive defeats in the Premier League despite the positive efforts of defender Calvin Bassey.On Friday, 3 October, Fulham lost 3-1 at Bournemouth, thanks to Antoine Semenyo’s brace and Justin Kluivert’s goal.Marco Silva’s men were previously beaten by Aston Villa on Sunday, 28 September, despite taking the lead through Raul Jimenez. Fulham’s defeat to Bournemouth leaves them vying for a positive result when they take on Arsenal in their first game back after the international break.

Credit: ImagoCalvin Bassey leads the way in one key Premier League statFulham supporters were impressed by Tom Cairney despite their defeat to the Cherries on 3 October, as the midfielder was brought on to replace the injured Sasa Lukic.Meanwhile, Bassey has won possession in the defensive third 20 times in the Premier League this term, which is more than any other top-flight player including defensive titans like Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES The 25-year-old’s efforts have been in vain, though, as Fulham have endured successive defeats to Aston Villa and Bournemouth.Fulham feel the effects of injury crisisFulham will be disappointed to have headed into the October international break with back-to-back defeats, having previously enjoyed three consecutive wins across all competitions.FulhamLas three resultsCambridge (H)1-0 WAston Villa (A)3-1 LBournemouth (A)3-1 LFulham are in poor formSilva’s side headed to Bournemouth with injuries to key attackers Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez, meaning that young midfielder Josh King led the line against the Cherries.Lukic then suffered an injury in the 14th minute, before the Craven Cottage outfit suffered a 3-1 loss despite Ryan Sessegnon’s opener in the 70th minute.The injuries in Fulham’s squad could prove costly in their first two games after the international break, when they face title challengers Arsenal and Champions League outfit Newcastle United.Silva’s men must then beat League One club Wycombe Wanderers in their upcoming Carabao Cup clash to earn their spot in this season’s quarter finals.Having witnessed Newcastle and Crystal Palace win the cup tournaments last term, Fulham know that the Carabao Cup is a potential route to silverware.