The full-back is relishing life in London, but he wants more for next season.
Fulham’s Timothy Castagne has excelled in his debut season at Craven Cottage and is optimistic about the future.
“It’s always a lot better in London, of course,” the Belgian right-back admits with a half-smile.
As with so many Fulham signings in the last two years, including Joao Palhinha, manager Marco Silva played a key role in convincing both the club and the player that the transfer was the right one.
“We spoke quite a lot on the phone,” adds Castagne, who was also coveted by Juventus. “Then it took a long time for me to arrive, which was a little irritating because I was waiting for the transfer and was only practicing at Leicester.
Timothy Castagne celebrates with Rodrigo Muniz (PA).
“I loved what [Silva] said and the thoughts he presented. I had a few days to think about it with my wife, and we both knew what we wanted to do. I wanted to join. My first season has been excellent. I immediately felt at home. I believe I was pretty consistent.
Castagne has started all but one of Fulham’s 34 league games since joining from Leicester for £15 million, displacing Kenny Tete as first-choice right-back.
He went on to say, “I’ve contributed more assists and goals [since January], but I know I can do more. “If I can do better, we can move up the table.”
Castagne, who was temporarily coached by Fulham teammate Andreas Pereira’s father during his junior career, says that finding chemistry with the wingers ahead of him is “sometimes not easy”.
“You play one game with Bobby [De Cordova-Reid], the next with Alex [Iwobi], H [Harry Wilson], or Adama [Traore].” Each provides something unique, and the more I play with them, the better I understand them.
“At fullback, you now need a lot of excellent offensive output but maybe a little less defensive things. But in this system, you must be able to do both. “I can do both, as can Jedi [left-back Antonee Robinson] and Kenny Tete.”
