Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards, alongside Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer, have predicted that Alex Iwobi‘s Fulham will struggle in the English Premier League this season, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Cottagers finished 11th in the English top-flight last season whilst pulling some big results against big teams like Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Fulham players like Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey have been known for showcasing their personality on social media, publicising some of the interesting things that occur in the locker room.
This even made the clash between Nottingham Forest and Fulham an interesting match-up as fans online renamed the fixture as ‘the Snapchat derby’.
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However, Iwobi recently mentioned that Fulham have banned players from making such clips, meaning the dressing room camaraderie will no longer make it to the fans.
“For those that are wondering why I haven’t been snapping BTS [behind the scenes] in the changing room, one person in the media team has been saying I haven’t been catching the right stuff.
“So, there’s no more BTS. They also said I might get fined if I continue to do so; they’re trying to ban Snapchat in our changing room.
“That’s why I ain’t been snapping BTS. It’s a shame, I know you guys enjoy seeing what my teammates are like behind the scenes, but I have to respect the rules,” the former Everton star revealed.
“No more BTS…”
New Fulham rules prohibits Alex Iwobi and his teammates from making clips in the dressing room.
Failure to comply means that players risk being fined. pic.twitter.com/Uyga3LOnqv
— @ (@OneJoblessBoy) July 23, 2025
Fulham haven’t been active in the transfer window this summer despite losing Carlos Vinicius, Willian and Reiss-Nelson.
However, three ex-England Internationals in Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have cited another reason why Marco Silva’s side will languish in the lower positions in the league this season.
“I don’t see them doing as well as they did last year,” Alan Shearer said on the Rest is Football Podcast.
“I’ve got them sixth-bottom, something like that. I think they’ll have too much to have them in a relegation battle, but just below last season.”
Richards backed up his co-host, citing that the deduction of the social media personalities of these players might affect them on the pitch.
“I agree, and their media person has stopped them using Snapchat, where you used to get all the insight, the videos and stuff. Great for chemistry in a dressing room.”
Shearer then interrupted, kicking off the laughter by saying: “Excuse me, what the f*** has that got to do with the prediction, by the way?”
Richards, who retired far more recently than his colleagues, gave his take on the dressing room impact, citing the impact the internet now holds in everyday life.
“Everything helps Alan, I’m telling you. You can’t do the videos no more, you go in there, it’s going to be silent, there’s going to be no banter flying, so it could affect them. So I’m going to say just below what they did last season.”
Shearer then concluded by saying, “No Snapchat, so they’re going to be just below what they did last season! That’s the reason.”
Fulham now have more doubters to prove wrong this season. The Cottagers kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Brighton on Saturday.