It takes some overseas players weeks, months or even years to adapt to the pace, power and intensity of the Barclays Premier League.
Not Demba Ba.
West Ham United's energetic No21 has hit the ground running since January transfer window move from German club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
On Saturday, Ba netted his fourth goal in three league starts for the Hammers, paving the way for a clinical 3-0 home victory over Stoke City.
"It's been a very good start for me," the 25-year-old told West Ham TV. "I'm very happy and I'm just going to work hard to keep up my performances.
"We are working hard. None of us is cheating when we're on the pitch. We all have the same goal to stay in the Premier League and when you know where you want to go, you do everything to have it.
"It's a good time for me at the moment and a good time for the club. We're really enjoying it and we hope we're going to keep on going in this way."
Ba showed the appetite for goals and hard work that has made him an instant East End hero by scoring an opportunistic opening goal against the Potters.
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic looked certain to clear Mark Noble's dinked through-ball, only to completely miss his kick. The striker had not given up the chase and used his characteristic speed and strength to out-muscle Marc Wilson and stab the ball into the vacant net.
"I knew that if I got to the ball first it was a goal. It was one of the easiest goals I've scored but I'm very happy with it and with the win.
"It was a very strange situation. I thought the keeper was going to kick the ball away but when I saw that he just missed it, I gave everything I had to put the ball into the net.
"I had a 50/50 situation against the defender but I gave everything I had to put it in the net and it worked!"
Ba is one of seven senior forwards in Avram Grant's squad, but the French-born player insisted the competition for places acted as an incentive rather than a hindrance to the club's strikers.
"It doesn't really put pressure on us. When you have other players who you know can do the job, you just keep on working hard and focused on keeping your place in the starting XI on the Saturday.
"It is the trainer's problem, because if everyone is fit and working hard, that's his job!"
The irony of Ba scoring against Stoke was lost on nobody, as the Potters had turned down the chance to sign the player in January over concerns over his fitness.
With four goals in five appearances, Ba is fit, hungry and firing on all cylinders.
"That's life, but these things happen and I'm not mad at all at Stoke City. I'm just working and doing my thing.
"I could have been playing for Stoke, but I'm very happy with what has happened. I want to thank the club for the confidence and faith they have put in me and I'm doing everything I can to give it back.
"I'm enjoying the Premier League. I'm enjoying the freedom to play my football. There is no pressure like they used to put on me in Germany. I can just enjoy my football and that's the best way to play very good."
Ba might have made an explosive impact since his arrival at the Boleyn Ground, but with nine Barclays Premier League matches still to play, he is aiming to net plenty more goals before the season is out - boosting West Ham's survival chances in the process.
"It's very important. This is just the start and we have to keep on going and we're not far from getting out of the bottom. We're still at the bottom, though, so we still have to work hard. We have to forget about this game and look forward to the next game.
"We have to give everything we have every time we step on to the pitch and we have to win."