LUC De Fougerolles believes he has benefited hugely from being in and around Fulham’s first team squad after making his debut in last night’s 3-1 Carabao Cup win at Ipswich.
The homegrown youngster only turned 18 over a fortnight ago and is still learning the central defender role, but this didn’t stop him delivering an accomplished display alongside Calvin Bassey at Portman Road.
De Fougerolles played the entire game alongside his more experienced Nigerian partner as Fulham avoided a potential cup upset against the Championship high-flyers to book a quarter-final trip to Everton.
In fact, the new boy did so well he was even voted man-of-the-match by Fulham’s supporters.
And now the Canadian international just wants to keep learning from Marco Silva and the club’s other senior players as he continues his football education.
De Fougerolles told Fulham TV: “I loved it to be honest. It was a tough game, Ipswich are a good team and we knew they haven’t lost much this year but it was a good game.
“We played very well and got three good goals, it was just unlucky not to get the clean sheet but it was a good night overall.
“I found out on the day maybe six hours or so before kick-off.
“The gaffer just pulled me to the side and just said I’m starting today and that he had full trust I could put the messages from training into the game, so that obviously gave me a boost of confidence.
“It was obviously very exciting to be starting – bit nervous as well, but very excited in the main.”
He added: “It is really helpful for me just being around older players with all the experience that they have – players like Tim (Ream) and Calvin (Bassey).
“Obviously Issa (Diop) and Tosin (Adarabioyo) are injured at the moment, but they’ve all helped me a lot, especially since I’m not that familiar with centre-back.
“They’ve made that kind of transition really easy for me and I’m very thankful for them.”
De Fougerolles wasn’t the only youngster to make his first team debut last night, with Devan Tanton making a late cameo from the bench in place of Timothy Castagne.
“We’ve been in the last few squads together,” he said.
“Obviously we’ve played together for quite a few years, so making my debut on the same night as him was amazing.”
De Fougerolles only discovered this morning he had won the MOTM accolade and expressed gratitude to Fulham’s fans for their votes.
He added: “It was a nice thing to wake up to.
“But obviously there were loads of great performances yesterday, so I’m just thankful that the fans picked me – maybe because it was my debut but thanks!
“It has been good this year. I’m still a scholar so I’m still working hard, but it has been a good few months and hopefully I can push on.”
