Derby County's player of the year award had never before gone to somebody only at the club on loan. Until Fikayo Tomori arrived from Chelsea and fans started singing about an impenetrable presence.
'You'll never beat Tomori,' is a refrain heard each week at Pride Park and should it sound against Leeds, chances are Derby's latest bid to reach the Premier League will be going well.
'Having that bond with the fans is good,' says Tomori, a 21-year-old centre back. 'I'm grateful.'
Derby's player of the year Fikayo Tomori has proved to be a hit at Pride Park this season
His displays in the heart of their defence have helped Frank Lampard's side into the play-offs
Tomori has been a crucial figure in Frank Lampard's first campaign as a manager, featuring 52 times in all competitions, and he is tasked not only with defending well but starting attacks too. Tomori's ability on the ball is a key facet of Lampard's possession-based approach.
'Coming up through Chelsea, the coaches like us to play, be comfortable on the ball, build out from the back and it's the same here,' says Tomori.
'In some games it is different and you cannot really play because teams press, but having that philosophy where we want to pass the ball is important.'
Tomori has been at Chelsea since the age of eight and played in the Premier League in 2016 when champions Leicester visited Stamford Bridge. 'I played 30 minutes so had that taste, it makes you want it more,' he says.
It is rare for Chelsea prospects to break through but the emergence of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi provides encouragement and the club's coming transfer ban, upheld by Fifa this week, raises the possibility Tomori could be promoted.
'I think no matter what the situation is at Chelsea, it's always going to be difficult to break in,' he says. 'You have to be on top of your game all of the time. You just have to do your best to make an impression.'
Tomori's ability on the ball is a key facet of Frank Lampard's possession-based approach
The 21-year-old sat down with Sportsmail's Laurie Whitwell at the club's training ground
Tomori has certainly done that, prompting plenty of positive feedback in the Chelsea loan WhatsApp group. 'It keeps everyone connected so you don't feel you're isolated from the club,' he says.
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