Andreas Pereira says he fully understands the passion and importance that lie behind the SW6 derby after helping Fulham beat Chelsea last season.
The Brazilian midfielder created the winner for Carlos Vincius as the Whites beat their local rivals for the first time in seventeen years back in January and Pereira told FFCTV this afternoon that would play the game this afternoon if he could.
The former Manchester United number ten is pleased with Fulham’s start to the new season under Marco Silva:
“We’ve had a good start of the season. We know what we can improve, we still have a lot of room to improve but we stick to it and we want to get as many points as we can and I think we are in a fair position.”
He knows Chelsea will provide a serious test on Monday night regardless of their struggles so far this season.
“They still are figuring out the best way to play. They have not played a lot of games together, so it is normal what is happening. We know they have a lot of quality, we know we have to respect them and everyoine thinks they are in a bad situation: but it is a dangerous place for us and it is going to be a tough game.”
Pereira has plenty of happy memories from his first taste of facing Chelsea as a Fulham player back in January.
“It was a special game, my first game against Chelsea in the Cottage. I was very happy to assist the [winning] goal and it was a good feeling. The moment that I touched the ball and I had a look earlier. When the ball came out of boot and I knew it was going on his head, it was a great feeling to know he was going to score. I said to him the day before, ‘I have a feeling you are going to score – just be ready’ – and it happened!’
Since I came here, I tried to understand the culture more and more. From that night and from that win, you understand what kind of game it is and how passionate everyone is about it. Even coming from another team and another country, I know how important it is and for me it is exactly the same now. It is what I came to Fulham for, to play these games, it is what you live for. I don’t even have to get warmed up – I’m ready now.”
