There are plenty of interviews with Bryan Ruiz floating around this morning. Our new signing is profiled extensively on the offal, which perhaps gives an indication that the club expect him to play a big part this afternoon.
It’s a very nice feeling to be at Fulham. What I felt here was really great and to have the confidence of the Manager was really great. I think I took the right decision and I hope I can do really well here. I expect a lot from myself this season
I’ve joined a club where the manager knows me as well which is very important. He was a big influence. I didn’t know a lot about Fulham so when I came here but Martin Jol spoke to me and he really convinced me about the way he works and the way he wants the team to play.
Ruiz says he’s excited about the opportunity to play in the Premier League.
It’s a big challenge but I know he wants me in his team and that’s important for me. It’s up to me now – I wanted to come and show my qualities.
I know the Premier League is a very strong and fast league. I’ll do my best and show my quality here and I want to help us achieve the best possible position we can. I’ve already had two training sessions this week and it’s more dynamic [than in Holland].
I’m playing in the Premier League now and it’s the best league competition in the world. That has always been a dream for me and I’ve joined a club that is growing.
I know it’s going to be harder than Holland and I have to adapt fast. It might be really hard in the beginning but I will do my best to adapt as fast as I can.
The Costa Rican says he won’t be bothered by the £10.6m that Fulham paid FC Twente for his services. He’s used to pressure of a big fee after his arrival in Holland.
I don’t think about it [pressure] – I just play the best I can. I like the kind of challenge when there is pressure. I’m the kind of guy who likes to take responsibility and I like the pressure.
I know Fulham paid a lot for me but it was same when I went to Twente. It was the most expensive transfer for Twente at the time and it was big pressure but I just tried to do my best.
He also does his best to play down expectations as to his goalscoring, but there’s a cheeky little confidence there as well.
I’m not a number nine player. I won’t score 40 goals a season but I will score goals and provide assists. I like to play on the left or right side or number ten. The manager knows I can play in those positions.
I hope I can play [against Blackburn] but I’m not sure whether I will or not. I’m excited to be playing my first ever Premier League match and whether I play one minute or ninety, I’ll do my best.
The Sunday papers have picked up on Ruiz’s appreciation for former England coach Steve McClaren, who took him to Twente from Gent and took the Reds to the first league title in their history.
McClaren has been a big influence. When I was playing for Ghent in Belgium and had the chance to go to Twente I wasn’t sure because they were not one of the best clubs in Holland. But he convinced me to go there because he said he knew me and my qualities and I could do well and make my next step in a few years. So I went and he really changed me.
In the first year with him I scored 24 goals and we were champions for the first time in the club’s history, so his influence on my career is great.
