Marco Silva hailed Andreas Pereira for silencing the doubters with his superb Fulham form and revealed he explored signing the midfielder last season.
Pereira set up goals for Aleksandar Mitrovic and Bobby Decordova-Reid as the Cottagers climbed to seventh with a 3-2 victory over struggling Leeds on Sunday.
Eyebrows were raised when Silva paid an initial £10million to sign Pereira from Manchester United in the summer, where he had made just 45 Premier League appearances across an eight-year spell that included four stints out on loan.
However, the 26-year-old appears to have found a happy, permanent home in west London, with four assists and a goal so far this term to help Silva’s men make a flying start to their top-flight return.
"He has been outstanding this season,” Silva said. “I know a lot of people had doubts when I decided to sign him but I knew his qualities and his character.
"Even last season we had a conversation about his future but it wasn’t the right moment for him to join us. He’s a key player on and off the ball and with set-pieces. Two assists this afternoon. A top professional who is enjoying himself at the moment in a white shirt. The three midfielders all played an amazing game today.”
Fulham had to battle back from behind at Elland Road, Rodrigo opening the scoring before goals from Mitrovic, Decordova-Reid and Willian saw the visitors assert control.
Mitrovic’s header took his tally for the season to nine goals, behind only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot.
"Mitro is a top player and he has been great for us over the past few years and also his national team,” Silva added. “He’s a really important player and he’s more than just a goalscorer. As a team, we are confident and we are here to embrace the challenge. I’m here to get the best from my players."
Crysencio Summerville’s stoppage-time strike reduced the deficit but came too late for the hosts, who are without a league win since mid-August and have now lost four on the bounce as pressure mounts on manager Jesse Marsch.
"I'm here for the long-term," the American insisted. "I love this club, I'm investing everything I have to try to make us better.
"I understand the frustrations from the fans and we are equally if not more frustrated. We are doing everything we can and we are together.”
