Why Bournemouth’s capture of Emerson Hyndman is such a blow for Fulham

Add as preferred source on Google

The departure of a well regarded young player is always devastating for a club, and Emerson Hyndman’s exit from Fulham on Friday was no different. Hyndman signed for AFC Bournemouth on a four year deal, ending months of speculation that he was considering a move away from Fulham.

Yet the American will still be sorely missed at the Cottage, and Fulham fans will rue a missed opportunity at cultivating a start on the banks of the Thames.

Emerson Hyndman joined the Cottagers back in 2011 as a skilled, 15-year-old central midfielder from Texas. He was a vital part of the Fulham team that made the finals of the 2014 FA Youth Cup, featuring alongside Moussa Dembele and Patrick Roberts.

Unlike the other two academy graduates, Hyndman never made a Premier League appearance during the Whites’ relegation campaign. He made his Fulham debut on the opening day of the 2014/15 season against Ipswich, and featured early on during the club’s return to the Championship.

Unfortunately, Hyndman was prematurely thrown into a very physical and demanding league by Felix Magath, and Fulham proceeded to pick up one point from their opening seven matches. Magath tossed the youngster into the first team fray before he was truly ready, harming the midfielder’s confidence and also hurting his stock in the eyes of Magath’s replacement.

After Kit Symons was hired on a permanent basis in late October, Hyndman only made three appearances the rest of the season, and none after December 29. Frozen out of the first team picture, the future looked bleak for the promising youngster.

Kit Symons continued to overlook Hyndman at the start of the 2015/16 season, but the American was handed a lifeline during the festive period. He performed impressively when handed a start away to Derby on Boxing Day, and showed guile and strength in a tough environment.

Three days later at home to Rotherham, Hyndman was again brilliant in the centre of the park, propelling Fulham to a 4-1 victory. Nevertheless, new boss Slavisa Jokanovic utilized Hyndman sparingly until early April, when Hyndman undoubtedly enjoyed his best moment in a Fulham shirt.

On his 20th birthday, with the score level at 1-1, Hyndman latched on to a cutback in the penalty area and thrashed home the 93rd minute winner. The emphatic finish marked his first goal for Fulham, sparking delirious celebrations and riotous scenes at Craven Cottage. Many felt that this was the moment that a Fulham legend was born.

Nonetheless, as the season drew to a close, rumors swirled that Emerson Hyndman had rejected a new contract and was on his way out of the club.

In the end, the story of his first goal is the reason why Hyndman is not ready to move on yet. Hyndman only made 24 appearances for Fulham over two years, scoring just the solitary strike. It is clear that the American, despite his under-23 accomplishments at international level, is not prepared for a Premier League move.

There is no doubt that if Hyndman stayed at Fulham, he would have nailed down a starting spot, matured as a player, and been guaranteed playing time and experience. The situation is comparable to that of Patrick Roberts.

How can a player who is not even an established starter at Fulham succeed when making a move to a Premier League club? Roberts learned his lesson the hard way, becoming isolated at Manchester City and being loaned out to Celtic, plying his trade in a league that is arguably of a lesser quality than the Championship.

Unfortunately, it seems all three of Fulham’s superb academy graduates will have left the club by the start of the season. It is a shame, but it is nevertheless the reality of the modern game.

Players strive for immediate, instant success, and sticking around at a club mired in the Championship is simply not an appealing option. Club loyalty and love for the badge are becoming increasingly rarified, and it seems as if we have seen the end of the days of one-club men.

The departure of Emerson Hyndman is yet another example of this new attitude permeating football. Every supporter dreams of idolizing a player who was brought up through the youth ranks and is Fulham through and through.

Many pinned their hopes on Emerson Hyndman, but unfortunately these hopes have been dashed.

In a refreshing touch, Hyndman posted a message to Fulham fans on Twitter, where he wished the club well and thanked the Fulham family for their support. A nice gesture, but one that feels a tad meaningless after his departure.

Hopefully he can become a success at Bournemouth, but for now Fulham fans will be left wondering what might have been if the American stayed in SW6.