It's not what you know sometimes - but who - as Denis Odoi would agree.
The new Fulham right-back reveals he got the thumbs-up to join Whites in the summer as a result of word in the ear of Mousa Dembele - that’s the first one of almost the same name, who arrived at Craven Cottage in 2010.
The Belgian international went on to join Tottenham for £15m in August, 2012, but fellow countryman Odoi wanted to find out from a trusted confidant all about life in SW6 before committing pen to paper.
“Fulham were eager on me coming here,” he said. “I still had a few other possibilities, but it was a dream of mine (to play in England) since I was young and watched Match of the Day.
“It is not Premier League, but I have always fancied to play in England and Fulham is a big club with a big name.
“I also spoke with Mousa Dembele to ask him about the club because he was here and he said it was a very nice club with a nice atmosphere, like a small family and also very professional.
So then I came here to talk to Mike Rigg (chief football officer) and everything and decided to go for it.”
Going for it tomorrow will be Whites at home to Birmingham after the international break.
“The Championship is hard, so whenever you have a weekend off you enjoy it,” the defender addd.
“We want to stay unbeaten as long as possible and that doesn’t just happen. It needs you to work for it.”
Bearing in mind, Tomas Kalas can play right-back as well, using our poll below, leave one out of five players in a Fulham back four against the Blues.
Tickets for the game and against Burton on Tuesday are available by visiting: fulhamfc.com/tickets or calling the Fulham Ticket Office on: 0843 208 1234.
