THE development of Diego Rico has been a sight to behold for Cherries fans this season.

Fourteen league starts out of 17, two assists from left-back and more interceptions in the top flight than any other man in Eddie Howe’s squad.

But that only tells half the story of the Burgos-born star’s surge to become a first-team regular at Vitality Stadium, since arriving from Leganes for £10.7million in July 2018.

When Cherries sealed their sensational 1-0 success at Chelsea last time out, chants of ‘Diego, Diego, Diego’ could be heard from the away end after another impressive display from the Spaniard.

And it is those supporters the attack-minded full-back wishes to delight, as he continues to grow in a Cherries shirt.

“I was very proud, very happy to see that,” said the 26-year-old, in quotes translated by first-team assistant coach Hugo Faria, when asked by the Daily Echo about fans’ support.

“Especially for helping the team. I want to carry on these feelings, so I can give them more of these brilliant nights and results. In the end, they are the most important people.”

He added: “The team did a very a good job defensively and did well to get the chances that we created, to get in the best moment and eventually score from one of them. It’s always an extra motivation especially winning in a big, big stadium like this one (Stamford Bridge). We know if you keep playing like we played, the results will come naturally in our favour.”

In an away trip to Crystal Palace earlier this month, Cherries’ players were asked to give an adjective to describe themselves on posters in the dressing room. Spaniard Rico selected the word ‘humble’.

Quizzed on what it was like to make an impact and build an affinity with the club’s fans, he replied: “In the end, it is my job to do it, to perform on the pitch on a matchday.

“But I feel very happy that I can show them and make them proud of the team and of me too.”

A busy festive fixture list means defender Rico cannot get home to see his loved ones on Christmas Day.

But Faria, with his family, as well as Spanish-speaking team-mate Jefferson Lerma and his family will be there for him.

Rico added: “In the end there’s not much time to celebrate it (Christmas) because we will have games in between, before and after – even after New Year’s Eve.

“We will try to spend it at the best time, with our closest friends over here.”

It is evident that Portuguese Faria has been much more than a coach to Rico since his arrival.

The pair were smiling from ear-to-ear together as they exited Chelsea on Saturday.

Faria, who joined Cherries in November 2018, himself holds the UEFA A coaching licence and represented Portugal at under-20 level as a player.

Having come through the youth ranks at the likes of Porto and Louletano, the 36-year-old has also played for clubs in Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Scotland.

His full focus now, however, is making sure both Lerma and Rico feel at home with Cherries.

He told the Daily Echo: “It’s been a great journey. I’m trying to make them more comfortable and that’s it.

“In the end, their happiness is my happiness.” He added: “I’m a former football player so I understand the game, I was involved in the game, I’ve got some experience from different countries.

“If I can, I’m trying to pass on the football technical words, to pass the message to Diego and to Jefferson in the easiest way - so they can understand the football language.

“You can tell me something and I can translate exactly what you say, but I know already what the gaffer means, so I can go straight to the point, instead of going around.

“It cuts time and it helps them too, so they know exactly what the gaffer is trying to tell them and trying to give them – which kind of information he’s trying to pass to them.”

Asked how important Faria was in helping him settle in England, Rico said: “He’s trying to help with everything, to make sure that everything on and off of the pitch is good, that we are comfortable with everything.

“In the end I also feel that his happiness is my happiness and vice versa as well. It’s a shared feeling.”

That dynamic is not lost on Cherries boss Howe, who recently highlighted the impact made by Faria in his coaching set-up.

“Hugo has been very good internally because he is a very positive guy, very popular guy within the squad and he has been a big help for those two players,” said the manager.

“It’s very important because they have that friendly face, that person they know they can communicate with absolutely freely and get their point across, without any worries that they are being not fully understood.”

Both Rico and Lerma are expected to keep their places for Cherries’ home clash with Burnley tomorrow (3pm).

Since their arrival to Dorset, they have made a combined 78 appearances in all competitions.

So, with both Lerma and Rico combining learning a new language with playing in the Premier League, who has the best English?

Faria replied: “They are getting there. I would say at this moment, Diego is winning by two points! You’ll see in the future!”