Field Insider

based on the 2025/26 season · updated 18 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameThomas Cairney
PositionCentral midfielder
NationalityScotland
Age35
Date of birth20 Jan 1991
BirthplaceNottingham
Height185 cm
Shirt number#10
ClubFulham
Central midfielder
24
Appearances
2
Goals
0
Assists
814
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Fulham.

Scout report

Experienced headCentral midfielder

T. Cairney is a 35-year-old central midfielder at Fulham, rated 17.3 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 191st of 193 on scout potential in the Premier League. A seasoned veteran, he has been a fringe squad member this season (23.8% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.33 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Cairney.

Judged on this season alone, Cairney graded 13 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 32nd of 41 of the 41 central midfielders in the Premier League, on 2 goals, 0 assists and 1.327 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 13 → 13). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has held fairly steady, peaking in 2023/24.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 17, 40th of 41 of the 41 central midfielders in the Premier League. At 35 Cairney is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 7.6 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Past his 2023/24 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.

Peak: 2023/24Trending downRemarkably consistentStepped up 2022/23
17.3
Ratingi
40th of 41 central midfielders
12.6
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
23.8%
Minutes
limited game time
1.33
Def. actions / 90
light defensive volume

Output in context · Fulham finished 11th of 20 · a mid-table side

24
Apps
1.33
Def. / 90
7
Tackles
4
Interceptions
2
Clean sheets

1.33 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume, with 2 clean sheets across 24 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 2 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.22 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central midfielder.
  • Pedigree. Performing in a top-tier setting (team strength 94.7/100).

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 23.8% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
  • Age curve. At 35, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 17.3, Cairney carries the 40th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the Premier League of 41 — though on just 24 appearances this season, so the standing rests on a small sample. Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.33 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.6× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the Premier League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals2

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles7
Interceptions4
Blocks1

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.