Jol begs Dempsey to stay

Jol begs Dempsey to stay

Clint Dempsey: His goal against Norwich equalled Louis Saha's Fulham record of 13 goals in a season

Martin Jol has pleaded with Clint Dempsey to sign a new deal to keep him at Craven Cottage after another all-action display from the American.

The 29-year-old scored one against Norwich on Saturday to fire his way into the Fulham record books by equalling Louis Saha's tally for goals in a season, before setting up another for Damien Duff in the 2-1 win.

Dempsey is out of contract next year and his sizzling form in recent weeks will not have gone unnoticed by clubs around the world.

And although Dempsey has admitted he still harbours hopes of playing in the UEFA Champions League, Fulham boss Jol is desperate to keep him at Craven Cottage and revealed the club have offered him a bumper three-year deal.

"He's our top goalscorer and that tells you everything - we offered him an improved deal last week," said Jol.

"There are not many players who have left Fulham over the last few years who did well.

Important

"Hopefully I can convince Clint he should stay with us for another couple of years. He is a regular.

"If you play for a different team, maybe a top-four team, I'm not sure. There will be a lot of clubs looking for a player like him.

"He is not a typical, specific wide player. That is probably the reason he is still here. It's good."

It is this versatility that has made him Fulham's 'Mr Reliable' in recent weeks, according to Norway international John Arne Riise.

Dempsey started the game against Norwich out wide but had to move into the middle following a first-half injury to Pavel Pogrebnyak w ithout letting his performance drop.

"He's played centre midfield, winger, striker, in behind the striker so he's very important," said Riise. "No matter what happens in a game we can always rely on him."