Fulham’s summer loan signing Andre Schurrle was reinstated to the starting lineup against Newcastle yesterday, yet failed to make any meaningful impact in the 0-0 draw.
Yet when Aboubakar Kamara replaced the German World Cup winner in the second half, Fulham finally were granted attacking danger and threatened the Newcastle defence.
Kamara must keep Schurrle out of the starting lineup in future matches, as the Frenchman offers far more than Schurrle in almost every department of the game.
Lacking any aggression, ability to hold onto the ball, and positional awareness, Schurrle was completely lost on the pitch at St. James’ Park. For all of his experience and nous in goal-scoring situations, the attacker is simply a liability and a passenger in a relegation dogfight.
Away at Newcastle, Claudio Ranieri’s plan was to sit back with a five-man defence and hit quickly on the counterattack. Schurrle could barely beat anyone on the pitch with his declining pace and was not ready to put in a challenge and win the ball back.
Kamara, despite his flaws, was a willing runner, added passion, and nearly won it late on for Fulham with a barnstorming solo run.
Aboubakar Kamara simply offers so much more for Fulham than Andre Schurrle can at the moment, and the Frenchman must be preferred over the German for the festive fixtures.