Hughes pleased with Schwarzer's attitude
Fulham manager Mark Hughes has commended the professionalism shown by Mark Schwarzer after the goalkeeper was denied a move to Arsenal over the summer.
In the last days of the transfer window, Arsène Wenger approached Fulham with an offer to sign Schwarzer as a player and goalkeeping coach.
The Australian keeper openly said he would relish the opportunity to play for Arsenal, but the deal was blocked by Hughes, who wished for his keeper to remain at Fulham.
Having missed the first games of the season with an injury, Schwarzer returned for Hughes' team in the 2–1 victory over Wolverhampton last weekend. The keeper was applauded by the crowd at Craven Cottage, a sign of appreciation by the home fans that Hughes
said was deserved.
"[Schwarzer]'s made a real mark here and been part of the club's recent success so that was a show of respect,” the manager told the club's official website.
"It was due and it was really good for him. He’s a good professional and I didn’t think there would be any difference in his daily work or approach to games [after speculations surrounding his future]. It was never a worry for me and he’s getting on with
his job."
Hopeful Schwarzer will stay
The Fulham boss added that the club had turned down offers for the 37-year-old because he is too important to his team, and while Arsenal could still make a move for Schwarzer in the January transfer window, Hughes said he hopes the veteran will stay.
"His immediate future is here at Fulham and we’re hopeful we can show him where we want to go and what we want to do in the future. Obviously I’ve made it known to him that I want him to be a part of that."
Fulham travel to face Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on Saturday.
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