It is already clear that Marco Silva’s appointment as Fulham’s head coach in the summer was a gamechanger. The Portuguese boss had a point to prove in English football after being sacked at Everton and was hungry to answer his critics in a role similar to his first in management – when he took Estoril up from the second division in his homeland and soon had them challenging the elite. In barely a month, he has revolutionised Fulham’s football, abandoning Scott Parker’s cautious approach, and the flair that has accompanied four wins from the first five is arguably as exhilarating as the fact that the Whites sit top of the Championship.

Arguably as important as the tactical tweaks has been the way the new man has influenced Fulham’s famous transfer policy. The elements of the ‘two boxes ticked’ method embraced by Tony Khan as director of football may remain in place, but there is no doubt that Silva enjoys far more sway than any of his immediate predecessors. He quickly brought in Paulo Gazzaniga, who has become Fulham’s number one and Harry Wilson, who has made such a blistering start down the right wing. Silva pushed hard to sign Brazilian wonderkid Rodrigo Muniz and recruited two more midfielders last night in the shape of Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah.

These signings make an already strong Fulham squad seem supremely stacked. The deadline day signings were vital after the loaning out of Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, who wasn’t keen on playing in the Championship, and the ongoing injury concerns about Fulham’s other midfielders. Harrison Reed has only just returned from an ankle injury, whilst Tom Cairney’s troublesome knees have meant he has managed just a single training session since Silva arrived. That means we can’t count on the captain’s precise passing anytime soon. While Fabio Carvalho has began brilliantly in the Championship, Silva will know he can’t depend on the prodigious talent all season. Quina is an exciting talent who hasn’t got the football he deserved at Vicarage Road, whilst Chalobah, an England international nurtured by Silva during his time at Watford, appears an exceptional addition to the engine room.

The only thing missing from Silva’s wishlist was probably a right back following the injury to Kenny Tete. If the Dutch international’s hamstring problem will keep him out until the new year, asking Denis Odoi to deputise for three months would not have been the head coach’s first choice. The Belgian veteran did terrifically well against Stoke – but he is nobody’s idea of a modern, marauding full back. Fulham might approaches to several right backs on Tuesday but failed to get a deal over the line – approaching a free agent in the weeks ahead might be a real possibility.

If the incomings look outstanding, then the fact that Fulham’s hierarchy have managed to keep the spine of a strong squad together is very impressive. The club rebuffed late interest in Tosin Adarabioyo, allowing the former Manchester City man to continue his burgeoning partnership at the heart of the defence with Tim Ream. The unlikely midfield pairing of Josh Onomah, who looks reborn under the regime, and Jean Michael Seri, whose own revival at Craven Cottage is the story of the summer, has worked wonderfully well having been thrown together after injuries derailed Silva’s initial plans. Bobby Decordova-Reid’s brilliant start to the season has seen the Jamaican force his way into the first eleven, whilst Aleksandar Mitrovic committing his long-term future to Fulham would have been a huge boost to everyone connected to the club.

The Khan family have handsomely backed every manager they have appointed since taking over the club in 2013. Results on the field have fallen far short of their financial investment – which, to their credit, has never dwindled. Silva has the set-up to take Fulham back to the top flight and make a serious statement whilst doing so. He has began life in south west six superbly, but will know better than most that nothing is won in August.