Fulham have signed Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal on a five-year deal, with an option of a further 12 months, for a fee of up to £34million ($43.7m).
Our writers — experts in transfers, tactics, data and football finance — have come together to rate this summer’s senior Premier League transfers in five categories, with each aspect given a score out of 100, to reach a total score out of 500. Hence, The Athletic 500. The ratings are explained in more detail here (not all transfers will be rated as there may be a lack of data to support an analysis).
Below is our rating for this move.
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Tactical fit — 54/100
A look at how the player fits into his new club tactically, using Sentient Sports’ bespoke tactical-fit model, explained by our tactical expert.
Smith Rowe is an attacking midfielder with the potential to become Fulham’s creative hub. While he can play as a right central midfielder, he looks more comfortable in the left central midfielder position.
He is known for advancing play and finding team-mates in forward positions, averaging 5.9 progressive passes per 90 minutes. He contributes 3.3 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes and frequently pushes forward himself, showing he can influence attacking situations, and has a keen eye for goal.
However, coming back from a knee injury, he only played 13 matches last season, averaging 26 minutes per game, and will need to build match fitness.
One of Smith Rowe’s standout qualities is his movement off the ball, finding space centrally or on the flanks. From those positions, he can turn and pick out through balls, or play quick wall passes before spinning into space.
As we can see in this 5-0 home win against Crystal Palace in January, Gabriel Jesus and Smith Rowe combine in a two-versus-one situation against Joachim Andersen. Smith Rowe receives the ball, opens his hips, and plays a perfectly weighted pass to Jesus. However, Jesus’s return pass is intercepted and cleared by Chris Richards.
Smith Rowe can drift wide to create overloads or open central spaces for team-mates, which shows his game intelligence. He can pick out passes to runners ahead of him, which has added unpredictability in how Arsenal attack.
From this visualisation, we can see Smith Rowe predominantly operates on the left, especially in the attacking third. He also significantly contributes to the central midfield area in the attacking third.
His 2.8 progressive carries per 90 minutes last season gives us an idea of his intent to drive the ball forward by dribbling past opponents and breaking lines. Yet, his capacity to use his body to brush off contact is an area that needs improvement. Furthermore, he occasionally miscontrols the ball (1.5 times per 90 minutes), which is often a by-product of his intent to drive at players and navigate tight spaces.
Smith Rowe transferring to Fulham provides upsides and challenges for Marco Silva. He typically sets up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Defensively, they shift into a 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 shape, with a two-plus-three build-up, transitioning through the midfield. Their attacking play relies on wide play and quick transitions, focusing on crossing and direct play.
Smith Rowe can fit into multiple roles within Fulham’s 4-2-3-1. As a central attacking midfielder, he could rotate with or replace Andreas Pereira, providing creativity and energy in central areas. Alternatively, as a left-winger, he can drift inside, offering an additional goal threat and linking play between the midfield and attack. His ability to find and exploit space suits Fulham’s need for intelligent movement and passing in the final third.
However, there are cons. Fulham’s system requires all players, including attacking midfielders, to contribute when they lose the ball. Smith Rowe will need to improve his defensive positioning and pressing, especially in matches when Fulham rely on physical duels and direct play. There may be a period of adjustment before Smith Rowe gels with his team-mates.
Furthermore, Smith Rowe’s confidence and consistency need to be nurtured. Regular game time for Fulham could provide the platform for him to become a key player.
Gillian Kasirye
Season rating: 63/100
Rating the player over last season, using statistics from The Athletic’s data team.
Smith Rowe’s 2023-24 campaign mirrored the one before it as he struggled to receive minutes on the pitch due to a combination of injury and stylistic preference.
He began the season by coming on as a late substitute in Arsenal’s Community Shield win on penalties over Manchester City before watching six of their first nine Premier League matches from the bench. He made his first start of the season in a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in late October, picking up an assist. However, he was then substituted with a knee injury that ruled him out for around six weeks. He returned in mid-December, coming off the bench in a Champions League draw with PSV Eindhoven and a league win over Brighton.
GO DEEPER
Why Smith Rowe’s Arsenal exit makes tactical sense – and joining Fulham does too
The remainder of the season followed a similar trend as Smith Rowe spent most of his time on the bench. He started just two of their final 22 league matches — grabbing an assist in one of those against Luton Town. The 24-year-old was also benched for all four of Arsenal’s Champions League knockout fixtures.
Smith Rowe ended the season with only 19 appearances across competitions, aggregating just 475 regulation minutes for the season.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
Gaming rating: 78/100
Rating the player according to Football Manager 2024’s data across both current and potential ability.
Football Manager’s extensive scouting database suggests that Smith Rowe is a Premier League-calibre midfielder with plenty of room to improve.
The midfielder’s current ability rating according to FM stands at 148, comfortably the highest among Fulham’s options in the middle of the park. Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi are next best at 139. They are followed by Harrison Reed (136), Sasa Lukic (135) and Tom Cairney (134).
Smith Rowe’s potential ability rating of 164 on FM24 is also the highest among Fulham’s midfield options by a distance. He is estimated to have more future upside than Iwobi (155), Lukic (150), Pereira, Reed (both 145) and Cairney (135).
Sports Interactive’s ratings hint that Smith Rowe could be an excellent long-term signing for the Cottagers.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
Financial value rating: 62/100
A four-category summary of the player’s transfer in financial terms — and whether it makes sense for his new club
Market value — 16/25
Though a record signing for Fulham, a fee of £27million up front with £7m due in potential add-ons, for a promising, homegrown 24-year-old — with three England caps — seems fair value. Chelsea spent a similar amount on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (albeit with Michael Golding going in the other direction). Disappointing recent seasons would be the only concern.
Squad cost — 13/25
The fee eats up the majority of the £43million brought in by the departure to Bayern Munich of Joao Palhinha, leaving less money for a direct Palhinha replacement.
Contract sensibility — 17/25
Smith Rowe turned 24 on Sunday and a five-year deal takes him into his prime years. The long-term nature of the deal offers security to Fulham should they look to move him on in future.
Resale value — 16/25
All being well, Smith Rowe would be a saleable asset in his late twenties should he manage to get his career back on track with regular football at Craven Cottage. That is the risk for Fulham, though.
Alex Brodie
Risk or reward? 72/100
Is there a history of injury or other problems that could crop up and make this deal a bad one in retrospect? Or does the player come with a clean bill of health? Our expert takes a look.
This is a signing with plenty of upside for both parties.
Smith Rowe will hope the move to Fulham brings consistent minutes to help re-establish himself as the exciting, goal-scoring midfielder we saw in the 2021-22 season. Given his youth, we can be confident he has more levels to reach after a quiet couple of seasons. Silva could help him take the next step while also developing other facets of his overall game, especially if he manages to stay fit (below).
For Fulham, this represents an ambitious acquisition. Smith Rowe adds depth to a squad that does not have too many bodies in midfield. He has also not had too many niggling injuries barring a groin issue for which he underwent surgery during the 2022-23 season and a knee injury last season. Smith Rowe has notably received less than 750 minutes on the pitch in all competitions across the last two seasons, so match fitness will be a concern.
Ultimately, even if the move does not work out the way all parties expect it to, Fulham should recoup a decent portion of their investment given Smith Rowe’s age, nationality and potential.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
Overall rating: 329/500
(Photo: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)
