"Fulham will NOT return to being yo-yo club without Marco Silva... Arbeloa, the right fit! Berbatov? He wasn't the best, it was..." Forgotten Fulham star EXCLUSIVE

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone

Ahead of the club's Prem curtain-raiser against Chelsea tomorrow, Sascha Riether spoke exclusively to Capital Football London about his two seasons at Fulham, his memories of life at Craven Cottage, the challenge of moving from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, and the world-class talent of former teammate Mousa Dembélé.

The former Germany international also reflected on Fulham’s transformation since his departure, their recent stability under Marco Silva, and what he expects from new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa.

Two seasons at Fulham: staying up in the first, relegation in the second. Positive or negative memories of Fulham?

“Only positive. It was my first time in England and in the Premier League, and I had a very great time. Of course, the second year was not successful, but I have very great memories of the club and the supporters. It was a special time for me.”

Was the now famously tough transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League already difficult to make in 2012?

“Yeah, it was a big move, of course. The Bundesliga and the Premier League are different levels. It was a big chance to show myself in the best league in the world, and I think I did quite well at a great club. I will never forget that time.”

Was Berbatov the best player you played with at the club?

“No, Mousa Dembélé! I need to be honest. Before he went to Tottenham, I think he played one or two games for us and he was an amazing player. He was the best I ever played with.”

In games, he didn’t always live up to what people saw behind the scenes. Is it true that he was world-class in training?

“I don’t know what happened in the games, but in training he was unbelievable! With his skills, keeping the ball, driving through midfield… he was an unbelievable player.”

Your Fulham side went down in 2014 for the first time in 14 seasons. In the years after you left, they became a yo-yo club, going up and down. Now they have stabilised themselves, but the architect of that stability, Marco Silva, is gone. What next for the club? Are you worried they could turn into a yo-yo club again?

“I don’t think so! In the last few years, they have been very stable, and I hope for the club and the supporters that they keep going. You never know, maybe they could take the next step as a club. It’s a very special club, and I wish them a lot of success. Of course, I still follow Fulham.”

It’s been a merry-go-round of players. Many have left, and many have come in.

“That’s football. They have a new coach now and first have to find themselves with new tactics, a new coach and a new team.”

Álvaro Arbeloa is the new manager. They say that a couple of months at Real Madrid equates to five years in another dugout. Is he the right fit?

“Arbeloa was coaching at one of the biggest clubs in the world with the best players. He knows how a dressing room works because he was a great player, and he can manage big egos. I think it was the right to hire him.”