In the week that the club triggered an extra year on his deal, Ryan Sessegnon breathed new life into our European push when all appeared lost.

His goal gave us our first win against Aston Villa in nearly four years and sparked renewed hope going into similarly tough games against Arsenal and Bournemouth.

The fact that we then lost him to injury is illustrative of the mixed bag this season has been.

Three wins out of our final four games would all-but guarantee a top eight finish, but there is little room for error.

Our hardest game comes next week at the Emirates, with Arsenal needing no fewer than three points to stay ahead of a rampant Manchester City side that can smell blood.

Our away record this campaign has been poor, which is why it is encouraging that two of our final four games are at home and our other away fixture is a trip to already relegated Wolves.

I cannot help but feel these next four fixtures will determine not just the direction of our 2026-27 season, but the next five years.

If we fail to secure Europe, I expect Marco Silva to depart in June. If we qualify, I think we can expect a new deal and a continuation of his five-year stay in SW6.

Tying down players like Sessegnon for at least another season gives us the type of continuity we crave as fans and Ryan is held in such high regard that it has certainly raised the mood around Craven Cottage.

But when it comes to contract extensions, there is only one that sits at the top of everyone's wish list. And come what may, we will know the outcome of that soon enough.