'Arbeloa arrives at a club in need of evolution, not revolution'

[BBC] [Getty Images] The Alvaro Arbeloa era has finally begun. Five weeks after Marco Silva revealed he was leaving Fulham, the club got their man to replace him. And he certainly divides opinion. Many fans are concerned about Arbeloa's lack of experience; just five months at the helm of Real Madrid doesn't cut it for them. I see the move as a positive one. Fulham are said to have been convinced by Arbeloa's vision for the 'project', built on creating a strong path from the academy to the first team - in line with his rise through the age ranks at the Bernabeu. We have a Category A academy, but we did not reap the full benefits of that over the five years o Silva's reign. There are a couple of exceptions - Fabio Carvalho and Josh King - but Silva typically relied more on experience. News that Arbeloa wants to bring some young stars with him from Madrid will do much to excite the fans. Franco Mastantuono is the most eye-catching name, and with so much interest in the winger, a loan is perhaps the best we can hope for - but it certainly whets the appetite. Arbeloa arrives at a club in need of evolution, not revolution - and his philosophy, combined with his penchant for attacking, possession-based football, makes me feel that while this is a risk, it is one that could pay dividends. Despite director of football Tony Khan insisting we were talking to two candidates, it seems it was only Arbeloa ever really earmarked for the job. The club should lean into that – it shows a clear strategy that will make it far easier for fans to get behind the new boss. The new era begins now. Who knows what it will bring? Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish