The Portugal midfielder has made the sort of impact he could have only dreamed about since joining the club at the end of January.
A new man who has instantly looked at home and dominated our Player-of-the-Month awards, enjoying virtual universal adulation among the club's support, and swiftly becoming a firm favourite.
I felt it was interesting approaching the Europa League semi-final with Sevilla that the general consensus was the former Sporting Lisbon star was looking a little tired after a taxing schedule following the return to action. This had, of course, been his first taste of life in the physically demanding Premier League.