Fulham Boss Reveals He Will Not Overburden Young Josh Maja After Brace On Starting Debut

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday before his side's visit to Turf Moor to face Burnley, manager Scott Parker made it clear that he will not put pressure on Josh Maja to carry Fulham's goal-scoring burden for the remainder of the season.

The Nigeria international was the hero as Fulham recorded a historic 2-0 win against Everton on Sunday, notching a brace on his starting debut in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old Maja, a product of the Fulham academy, has seamlessly fitted into the group but Parker is careful not to over-hype the potential of the Bordeaux loanee.

"What a way to start your (full) Premier League debut and to score two goals and for us to win the game was pretty special for him really, so I'm really conscious that I don't want to put a lot on someone's so young shoulders," Parker told reporters.

"I've been very impressed in a short space of time I've been working with Josh, hopefully that vein can continue really."

Parker continued : "He's fitted in very, very well. He's come into a young group, a real energetic, upbeat group of players and he's fitted in that bracket very, very well.

"He's also fitted in a short space of time of one who wants to learn, a player that wants to get better and I think that's vitally important when you come into where we are and he's made them strides very, very easy."

Maja was considered for a spot in the starting team vs Everton after Aleksandar Mitrovic tested positive for coronavirus.

Igho Kingsley