Josh Maja a ‘project’ for Fulham – Lewisham-born striker has “big potential”

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Scott Parker is not pinning Fulham’s scoring hopes on Josh Maja – describing the South Londoner as a “project” signing.

The Whites snapped up the Lewisham-born striker on loan on transfer deadline day with the option of a £9million permanent deal in the summer.

Maja was previously on the books of Fulham and Crystal Palace as a youngster.

A string of impressive displays for Sunderland – hitting 16 goals in League One by the midway point of the 2018-19 campaign – saw him make a January switch to Bordeaux.

Whites manager Parker said: “I brought Josh to the football club because he is someone who I see with big potential. He is someone who I see we can develop.

“When you look at the transfer work we have done this season in Antonee Robinson, Tosin, Harrison Reed, Ademola Lookman and even Ruben Loftus-Cheek – these are all young and exciting players who need developing and improving.

“They’ve not had a lot of football and their next challenge is the Premier League.

“All of these players have done fantastically well. Josh fits into this bracket as well. Of course there is a slight risk there, because he has not been in and around the Premier League. But neither did a lot of these players we signed in the summer – and we did some very good business.

“We feel there is potential there. He has scored a lot of goals for Sunderland, albeit in League One. He has jumped the Championship because he went out to France. The next challenge is whether he can produce that in the Premier League, or certainly help us?

“He’s a natural finisher off both feet. He’s got good habits.

“It would be very unfair to put the pressure on such a young player who has not worked in and around this level. He may need some time, he may hit the ground running. He’s certainly a project for us. I have no doubt we can improve him if he is engaging, and I hear he is. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Fulham also made a late move for Josh King but the Bournemouth striker chose to join Everton instead.

The Whites offered a longer-term deal but the 29-year-old, who is a free agent at the end of June, instead plumped for a short-term switch to Goodison Park.

Everton paid what they described as “a nominal fee” for the Norwegian international.

“We tried and fair play, because it was a big commitment,” said Parker.

“We pushed but competing with Everton, an established Premier League team, was a challenge and we missed out.

“We have got a squad here now who I am more than happy with. The last day often brings some different things up.

“I’m pleased now that window is closed and the squad is what it is – for four weeks you have that uncertainty in the squad. We now focus on what we’ve got here and push on.”