Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa has heaped praise on Scott Parker – highlighting the belief that the Fulham boss supplies his side with as the Whites look to stay in the Premier League.

The Cameroonian international midfielder has shrugged off a poor first season at Craven Cottage and displayed the form that persuaded Fulham to make him their record signing as he became a fixture in Parker’s side following his return from a successful loan spell with Villareal. In a wide-ranging interview with the Observer’s Andy Brassell, the powerful midfielder discusses his late emergence into professional football, his African upbringing and the importance contributions all of hs managers have made to his striking progression.

Anguissa, the fifth most successive dribbler in the leading five European top leagues according to Opta, insists early on that individual statistics count for little when compared to team achievements:

“The statistics are flattering, but it’s about the work you do for the team.”

He speaks candidly about his decision to join Fulham after reaching the Europa League final with Marseille.

“I know a lot of people wondered why I was leaving Marseille. A huge club in France that played in Europe for a team that was playing to stay up in the Premier League. It’s about going step by step. Some young players might go straight to Tottenham, Manchester United or wherever, they don’t really know the league and they get burned.”

He feels he gained a great deal from his loan spell in Spain and believes the contrast between the side that was relegated in 2018/2019 and Parker’s current outfit is like night day.

“The team is much more solid than before. What we’ve done this season is not insignificant. We’ve had the confidence to play, to pass the ball, against good teams. Scott Parker knows how to make the players feel good, to feel confident. He always finds the words to get through to us. If he tells you it’s possible, you believe it’s possible.”