Fulham

Clint Dempsey has been heavily linked to Liverpool after the best season of his club career, but it doesn't look like Fulham will let him go without a fight. For his career to truly take off, he needs to move on from Craven Cottage this summer.

After weeks of speculation, the Cottagers have taken a firm stance when it comes to hanging on to Dempsey. Harry Harris of ESPN reports that team sources said no bids have been received for the American striker and that Fulham are not interested in receiving any.

The 29-year-old Texas native finally had the season fans of the United States national team always knew he was capable of. He scored 23 goals in 46 games across all competitions and was frequently the most dangerous player on the pitch, even against elite competition.

Unlike younger players who can afford to wait it out before making a big move, Dempsey is squarely in his prime right now and must make a move before his peak playing years pass him by. One down season and suddenly the interest from big teams will disappear.

Dempsey needs to capitalize while his value is high. It wouldn't be due to a negative view of Fulham. After all, the team gave him the playing time necessary to become a star, but there are bigger challenges on the horizon and limited time to tackle them.

If he remains with the team heading into next season, there's a chance he gets stuck there. Although he might have some great seasons, there would always be a feeling that he missed out on something.

Moving on is a natural progression that players around the world go through every year. Dempsey is just a different case because he was a late bloomer. Fulham molded him into a star and don't want to lose him after a big campaign, which is understandable.

That means Dempsey will have to make a stronger push if he really wants to get dealt. He's stayed out of the fray for a majority of the offseason, but it's getting down to crunch time and nothing has happened.

It puts the onus on him to start being more aggressive. That might be tough for somebody with a laid-back attitude like him, but it's his future and he has to live with whatever happens before the transfer window closes.

Dempsey will never have a better opportunity than right now. He needs to realize that before it's too late.

While Italy was busy advancing to the Euro 2012 final on Thursday, Fulham were busy securing the signature of Croatian forward Mladen Petric.

Petric previously played for Hamburg in the German Bundesliga for four seasons, with his first season being played under current Fulham manager Martin Jol.

This ESPN story gives all the information on the transfer, which was a free one, as Petric was let go by Hamburg at the end of the season.

This will be the first time playing in England for the 31-year-old Croatian international, who has also spent time with FC Grasshopper and FC Basel in Switzerland as well as Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

However, it will not be the first time that Petric will be playing at Craven Cottage as he did so during the 2009-10 Europa League semifinals, in which Hamburg lost to Fulham and Petric scored the only goal for his former club.

Petric will be an addition to Fulham's attack that already includes Moussa Dembele, Clint Dempsey and Bryan Ruiz.

The good news for Jol and Fulham is that Petric has played under Jol in the past, and although he will not be able to just walk in and feel comfortable, it should take him a shorter amount of time than other transfers to fit into Jol's model of play.

The signing of Petric also helps cover up the loss of Pavel Pogrebnyak, who Fulham failed to sign permanently this week. The Russian who spent time on loan at Craven Cottage last season signed with Reading.

As for Petric's statistics, he has earned 44 caps for Croatia since 2001 and played 98 games for Hamburg in four seasons, scoring 38 Bundesliga goals.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) always seems to pick the wrong players for its Players' Player of the Year award—and by excluding Fulham's Clint Dempsey in 2012, they've done it again.

The shortlist for the top honour this year has the following players: Robin Van Persie (Arsenal), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), David Silva (Manchester City), Scott Parker (Tottenham Hotspur) and Joe Hart (Manchester City).

Straight away it seems that Robin van Persie is the favourite for the award—and rightly so it would seem.

After all, the 28-year-old striker has scored 27 goals and made 12 assists in the Premier League this season—a vastly superior record to any other player in the league.

But in reality, it should be Clint Dempsey up there as the bookies' favourite.

First of all, it almost goes without saying that he should be on the shortlist this year—one look at his figures for the season would tell you that.

The 29-year-old American forward is in the form of his career right now, scoring 16 goals and making five assists this term.

That goalscoring figure isn't as high as that of van Persie, Rooney or Aguero—but we all know it's a brilliant tally because he's scoring those goals for Fulham, a side with much less firepower than United, City or Arsenal.

A team who create—on average—4.6 less chances per game than Manchester United, 4.5 less than Arsenal and 3.2 less than Manchester City—making Dempsey's achievement all the more remarkable.

And not only should the United States international be on the shortlist, he should of course be the red hot favourite for the crown.

For this is a player who has scored 41 percent of all Fulham's Premier League goals this season—take away his goals, and the Cottagers would've dropped seven points this term.

To put that talismanic form in perspective, Sergio Aguero has scored just 25 percent of his team's league goals this season—take away his strikes and City would've dropped five points.

Wayne Rooney has scored 30 percent of United's goals—take his goals away, six points dropped.

Robin Van Persie would appear the most talismanic however—take away his goals and Arsenal would've in theory dropped a staggering 21 points.

But the flying Dutchman has scored less of his side's overall goals—40 percent—and done so for a team that creates at least four to five more goalscoring chances each game.

So in Clint Dempsey, we could be talking about the most talismanic player in the Premier League right now.

And the reason why he's so important to Fulham is because of his fantastic versatility—a trait which again should see him win the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

Because this is a player who has a 100 percent goalscoring record in three different areas of the pitch—five goals in five games as a centre-forward, three goals in three games as a central attacking midfielder and one goal in one game (and an assist) on the right wing.

And in his main position this season—the left wing—Dempsey has effectively contributed a goal every two games, scoring six and assisting four in 20 matches.

No other player in the Premier League has had such success this season in four different positions.

Robin Van Persie has only played as a centre-forward this season, Wayne Rooney the same, and Sergio Aguero has scored the vast majority of his goals as a trequartista, only scoring twice more in the striker's position.

Which again goes to show how adaptable—and more importantly integral—Clint Dempsey has been to Fulham this season.

It's that kind of fundamental form which has seen the American gain tons of plaudits this campaign, and spark rumours of a £10 million transfer to Arsenal.

Yet still he doesn't get the recognition he deserves from the fans, and more significantly the players who vote for their favourite fellow professionals. 

Because this is a player who—as has been clear all season—not only deserves to be on the shortlist, but should be winning the award.

Of all the reasons Clint Dempsey has to leave Fulham this summer, this one might take the cake.

Er, that is, the quiche.

From an excruciatingly pun-infested article in the Daily Mail:

Fulham have bought 12 hens to live at their training ground to help cut costs.

This isn't a yoke or a poultry effort but a real coop as the club attempts to save £5,000 a year on catering.

Martin Jol’s squad, including deep-laying centre forward Pavel Pogrebnyak, go through 90 eggs a week at their Motspur Park base in Surrey.

Yoke? Coop? Deep-laying? My oh my. And bloggers are considered the bane of journalism.

But wait, it gets worse.

Fry-day is known to be particularly popular as the team toast their cluck for Saturday's big match.

Someone suspected fowl play but at least we now know what is eggs-scelerating top-scorer Clint Dempsey's accuracy in front of goal this season.

What, you couldn't poach a hard-boiled pun in there? Did nobody's name rhyme with omelet?

Excruciating wordplay aside, this is the best proof yet that Dempsey needs to leave Fulham. This sort of thing would never happen at Old Trafford or the Emirates.

Dempsey is tied for fourth in the English Premier League scoring charts, and his value has never been higher. And, as B/R national lead writer Dan Levy points out, Dempsey's peripheral stats place him in the elite tier of Premiership players.

So if the Mohamed Al-Fayed, Martin Jol and the Cottagers are really looking to make a buck, why not just offload the Deuce to Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea?

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Clint Dempsey is having the kind of season kids dream about. In simple terms, when Deuce finds the ball, it often finds the back of the net.

The American international is tied for fourth in the Barclays Premier League with 16 goals, his most recent tally coming in the 82nd minute against Chelsea, burying another header to secure a draw with the EPL superpower.

This summer, the EPL powerhouses should be lining up to secure his services. Clearly the most in-demand American player in quite some time, has Dempsey finally reached his pinnacle as the best?

Yes. Right now, it seems fair to say Dempsey is indeed the best American soccer player on the planet.

Fulham have come to expect heroics from Dempsey. He has scored 37 percent of Fulham's goals in the EPL this season. Add in his five assists and Dempsey has been involved in 49 percent of his side's scores, the second-highest rate in the EPL behind only Robin van Persie of Arsenal (26 goals and nine assists in 63 team goals). 

Dempsey is one of just four players who have been involved in at least 40 percent of their team's goals in the entire Premiership, sharing that honor with van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yakubu.

While Dempsey only netted three of the 12 goals Fulham scored in seven Europa League matches this season, he scored three of the team's five goals in a pair of FA Cup matches.

In all competitions this season, Dempsey has scored or assisted on 45 percent of Fulham's goals. 

Dempsey has been just as prolific for the U.S. National Team, recording six goals and two assists in his last 15 games for the American side. Dempsey has played in 15 of the last 20 international contests for the U.S. between 2011 and 2012 and has scored or assisted on eight of the 22 goals (36.4 percent) scored in all games.

If you factor just the games in which Dempsey has played over that span, he has scored or assisted on exactly half of all U.S. goals.

As Dempsey goes, so go club and country.

Still, being the best American player on the planet—or best American field player, as the United States has produced a host of world-class goalkeepers—does not put Dempsey into any elite category of top players in the world. Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, he is not.

(Though, to be fair, Dempsey has been involved in a higher percentage of league goals for his team than Ronaldo has for Real Madrid this season. Still, 22 of 43 is probably not as good as 47 of 100. Yes, Madrid has scored 100 goals this season, just in La Liga.)

We mustn't ignore the fact that while Dempsey is having a great run for both club and country, he hasn't been without his off moments. Dempsey can seem lost at times playing for the national team, not always finding—or being placed in—the right position on the field to showcase his skills.

Like many offensive-minded players, Dempsey can seem disinterested when the ball isn't coming his way. He also shoots a lot and sometimes takes shots even when the scoring chances aren't that great.

Let's also acknowledge Dempsey hasn't always been this prolific. He is the best American player in the world right now, but Landon Donovan still plays at a very high level. Over the same career span as Dempsey, Donovan has been recognized around the world as the best American player ever.

Elevating Dempsey this season is not a knock on Donovan as much as a rightful appreciation of what Deuce has been able to produce.

Dempsey has been on fire, not just filling the net but controlling pace and possession. Dempsey is fifth in the EPL in minutes played (2,963 in 33 games) behind teammate Brede Hangeland and three keepers (including two Americans in Tim Howard and Brad Friedel). Dempsey is fourth in the EPL in fouls suffered with 60, giving his team a steady stream of set pieces in the attacking third.

Dempsey also ranks 47th in the EPL in key passes per game, per WhoScored.com, and has a respectable 82 percent pass success rate, just ahead of like-minded finishers Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney. Dempsey's Average Rating this season is 14th in the entire EPL, the highest-rated player not playing for Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham or Chelsea. 

Remember those names, as Dempsey could be suiting up for one of them as soon as this summer. Dempsey still has a year left on his Fulham deal but has made it clear in the past he wants to play in the UEFA Champions League at some point in his career. He recently put aside any contract talks until the summer, a rather clear indication of his intention to leave Craven Cottage.

At 29 years old and in the best form of his life, this is the year Dempsey will need to move, and Fulham would be irresponsible to let him go for nothing after his deal expires next year. If Dempsey does not choose to re-sign with Fulham this year, the club will be forced to deal him.

The question for Dempsey will be where he best fits in. Newcastle is another team that could have eyes on Dempsey this summer if they are able to beat out Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea for one of the top four places in the EPL. Having said that, recent signing Papiss Demba Cisse has 10 goals in nine appearances (on just 25 shots) to combine with Demba Ba, who has 16 goals (tied with Dempsey), up front. Dempsey may not exactly be on their list of immediate needs.

The recent rumors to United make little sense unless Dempsey can slot into the regular 11, perhaps taking the place of Paul Scholes. Dempsey certainly will not take time from Rooney and would be fighting for time with the likes of Chicharito and Danny Welbeck unless United were to drop him deeper into the midfield or move him out wide. Even then, Dempsey would find himself in a competition for minutes with huge established superstars.

It's great to play in the Champions League, if you actually get to play.

A similar issue could happen at Arsenal, unless the Gunners don't re-sign van Persie this offseason and look to Dempsey as someone to defray the loss of his production. The same could be said for star-laden Tottenham, who could be looking for a scorer like Dempsey should the Spurs be unable to permanently sign Adebayor off his loan deal from City.

Then there's Chelsea, who always seems frustrated with the forward position. Even if they ship out Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba, does Dempsey fit with Sturridge, Frank Lampard and Juan Mata? (Note: Anyone could fit in with Mata. Lampard would be the issue.)

There will surely be suitors for Dempsey, and he shouldn't rule out moving from England if his real focus is the Champions League.

Regardless of where he goes, the pressure is about to mount for the American. Not only will his transfer lead to higher expectations at his new club, the higher profile will lead to more pressure to showcase the growing quality of the American game on a much grander stage.

That's exactly what has plagued Donovan his whole career. His first stint in Europe did not fare well, and while he has been an absolute superstar in MLS and a standout in his subsequent loan spells with Everton, he hasn't given himself an opportunity like Dempsey will have this summer.

Should Donovan eventually move to Europe full-time, he would be in extremely high demand. Donovan is still a great American player and maybe more valuable as an all-around performer than Dempsey.

Having said that, it's hard to see Donovan as the best American player right now. Dempsey is just too good to ignore.

Chelsea was pressing on the attack and Fulham was feeling the heat when, in the 44th minute, Chelsea was awarded a penalty, which was converted by Frank Lampard for his 150th league goal.

Fulham played a great second half and managed to get more shots on target than Chelsea.

Then eight minutes from time, a Damien Duff corner that went straight to the head of American Clint Dempsey, landed just inside Petr Cech's post and the game at Craven Cottage was equalized.

It was Dempsey's third goal in two games, and he furthered his club record of goals in a season to 16. By taking his tally to 16, he has surpassed and left behind Louis Saha's club record of 13 set back in 2004. This season, many worldwide have noticed Clint Dempsey and his talents.

After becoming the highest scoring American player in his 85th minute game winner against Liverpool in December, many rose their eyebrows at the question; is Clint Dempsey the best American player we have seen?

The American international has arguably been the most successful player in Europe, as we can recall flops like Freddy Adu and even Landon Donovan, whose time in Germany was less than successful.

He started his professional career with the New England Revolution in 2004. In December 2006, his current English football club offered $4 million dollars for the rights of the midfielder.

In his tenure in England, he holds many records for American-born players, surpassing Brian McBride's goals in a season, total goals, and goals in the Premier League.

Clint Dempsey is the highest goalscorer for Fulham and has 212 appearances, which is the most for active players.

His international numbers are just as impressive. The Texas native has the 4th most goals in United States history, despite having only 83 caps, which is not even in the top ten.

Most recently, he scored the lone goal in an international friendly against Italy, which marked the first time the United States had beaten Italy.

Although the United States has lagged in the production of successful overseas and domestic footballers, Clint Dempsey has stood out among the few.

He has a tough, rugged style of play. He has a fierceful dribbling ability and has an uncanny one-on-one ability to beat a player to the ball.

He saw success in being the runner up for the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield in 2005. Fulham and Dempsey saw heartache in their loss to Atletico Madrid in the Europa Cup loss back in 2010. Dempsey has drank from the cup of victory though with the USMNT winning two CONCACAF Gold Cups in 2005, and 2007.  

There is no question that in today's game of football, Clint Dempsey reigns supreme to American-born players, but is he the best of all time? Only time can tell for the 29-year-old, although he is well on his way to the title of Best American Soccer Player of All Time.

Honorable mentions; Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, Claudio Reyna, John Harkes, Thomas Dooley, Eddie Pope, Joe-Max Moore, Brian McBride, Eric Wynalda, Cobi Jones, Jess Agoos and Landon Donovan.

Going up against Goliath, all David needs to do to win is believe in himself. Or so says Fulham manager Martin Jol as he prepares for Monday's matchup against Manchester United.

Manchester United have gone nine league matches without being beaten and most recently demolished Wolverhampton 5-0. Now, only nine matches stand in between them and their 20th title.

The last time these two teams met, Man-U came out on top 5-0, with Danny Welbeck, Nani, Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov all joining in the goal-scoring barrage.

The only difference between that December matchup and this one, according to Jol, is confidence. This time, Fulham must have it—and though it may seem elusive coming off a close victory at Aston Villa and a home loss to Swansea, attitude can be a substantial difference maker.

Jol told Mirror Football:

You need a lot of belief in yourself to win there [at Old Trafford]. … You need to feel you're in with a chance, otherwise you may as well just stay here in London. Maybe it is [the biggest challenge in the Premier League] now because they are top of the league.

Man-U has only lost twice at home this year, the last time coming on December 31, when it suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Blackburn.

They will be without Darren Feltcher, Nemanja Vidic, Anderson, Michael Owen and Anders Lindegaard. Fulham has ruled out Steve Sidwell, Orlando Sa and Zdenek Grygera.

Jol faced Man-U six times while managing Tottenham and failed to win, but he isn't letting those odds interfere with his own confidence heading into Monday's matchup.

As he said, if you're going in with the attitude that you have no chance at winning, there's no point in even playing the game. At this point, catching the mighty Man-U off-guard may be as good a tactic as any.