N’Golo Kante warned Chelsea fans not to expect him to be another Claude Makelele during his time at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old signed for the Blues this summer after driving Leicester City to their shock Premier League title triumph last season.
Kante’s French nationality, small size and midfield position have seen him draw comparisons with Chelsea’s former defensive shield.
Makelele was a self-confessed ‘water carrier’ for Real Madrid and continued that role to win two league titles with the Blues during a successful spell.
Chelsea fans will be hoping Kante can have the same influence on games that his compatriot did in the early days of the Roman Abramovich era.
However, while Kante is an admirer of the midfield legend, the summer signing is not keen to be labelled as simply a Makelele clone during his time in west London.
Chelsea's 3-1 win over AC Milan in pictures as Kante makes bow:
He said: "There have been a lot of French midfielders at Chelsea , but they did it their way and I do it my way and I hope I can do good things at Chelsea.
"I saw Claude Makelele play in the French national team but before when he played at a club I didn't watch him a lot.
“I can't be the same as another player. I am just my way and I will try to improve on that at Chelsea."
Kante made his debut as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over AC Milan in Minneapolis last night.
He had been given an extended summer break before reporting for duty on the US tour after reaching the Euro 2016 final with France.
Kante added: “I need to get fit because I have just come from a holiday, I had a little break since the Euros, and now the pre-season comes and I have to be ready for the Premier League.
“I think what is important to fight for winning the ball it is the spirit. I have had that since I started playing football, so it is the spirit but I need to be fit for doing it.
“Like everyone I am sometimes tired, but if I need to run I will try to run.”
