Mitrovic sits out amid Saudi interest: THINGS WE LEARNT as Fulham beat Brentford

Fulham were 3-2 victors over West London rivals Brentford in the second match of the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

Our man CRAIG HOPE was at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to bring you his five talking points…

SILVA STAYS…

Marco Silva created unnecessary headlines on Saturday when he refused to answer Mail Sport’s question on whether he had rejected an offer from Saudi Arabia. Given the temptation of £40million over two seasons, it left the impression of him perhaps paving the way for his exit. Not so. Silva has told Al-Ahli that he intends to stay at Craven Cottage and was moved to clarify his position here.

‘My commitment to this club has been 100 per cent since the first day I signed, and it will continue this way,’ he said. ‘Offers are part of the business. I’ve had two great years at Fulham. It’s up to us to respect the club where we are working, which is what I’ve always done in my career. I made a decision, spoke to the club and, like before, I am fully committed to the club.’

If only he’d said that 24 hours earlier…

MITRO GOES?

Aleksandar Mitrovic was here but, because of his wish to move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal, he did not play. In fact, he has not even been training with his team-mates, and that is much to the frustration of Silva. He was diplomatic when pressed on the subject on Saturday, but did not hide his angst following this game.

‘A player that is not training with his team-mates is not going to play,’ he said. ‘If he trains, he will play.

‘Of course I would like him to train. He’s my player. I want him participating in all of the moments with the team.’

Why is he not training?

‘You’ll have to ask him.’

Ouch.

HAMMER BLOW?

Fulham’s Joao Palhinha was the subject of a £45m offer