Wednesday 3 August 2016 17:02, UK
N'Golo Kante says he will play "my way" at Chelsea and has dismissed comparisons to former Blues and France midfielder Claude Makelele.
The 25-year-old joined the Stamford Bridge club earlier this summer in a £32m deal from Premier League champions Leicester.
Comparisons have been made between Kante and Makelele because of their holding midfield position, their nationality, height and build and their vital role in protecting their teams' back line.
Other French midfielders including Didier Deschamps and Emmanuel Petit have also plied their trade at the club but Kante says he is his own man.
"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," he told the club's official website.
"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 trained with his new team-mates for the first time on Friday following a break after helping his country reach the final of Euro 2016 and could be in line to play against AC Milan in the International Champions Cup in the early hours of Thursday morning.
And he says the prospect of playing for manager Antonio Conte was an important reason behind his decision to move to the club.
"I chose Chelsea because I spoke with the manager here and when I did that, I felt the capacity of the manager and that is why I made my decision," he said. "And of course I like Premier League football and that is why I decided to stay in the Premier League.
"What I can say is he is passionate and a hard worker," he added on Chelsea TV. "He likes to communicate to make me understand his idea of football. He knows how I play and he thinks I can be a good player for his team and that's why I came here.
"When I came to Chelsea I knew it was a big club. Next season will be very difficult but I'm sure I will be in a good team and I am very excited."
Kante admits it was not an easy decision to leave Leicester after helping Claudio Ranieri's side win the Premier League title for the first time but says he is now concentrating on the future and making sure he is up to speed for the start of the new season.
"It was a bit difficult because what we did last season at Leicester was a very big achievement but now it is a new step for me and I hope good things will come," he said.
"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 is the spirt. 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."
