Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi has played down talk likening him to Patrick Vieira but he hopes to go on and have a successful career.
Midfielder says Blackburn are pulling together
Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi has played down talk likening him to Patrick Vieira but he hopes to go on and have a successful career.
Comparisons have been drawn between N'Zonzi and Vieira due to the younger man's build and style of play, while he has also been linked with a summer move to Arsenal.
Vieira enjoyed great success with the Gunners and won the World Cup with France, and compatriot N'Zonzi is flattered to be spoken about in the same breath.
"It's true many people have said that I remind them of Vieira," he told
The Independent.
"He was a very good player - remember, he played with Claude Makelele, so at that time France had a really, really good midfield.
"Everyone was looking to be like Vieira. I think people said it more of me because of my face, and I'm tall and quite skinny like him.
"He was a big, big player. I'm just beginning. I'm a little player compared to him."
No pressure
N'Zonzi's main focus is on helping Blackburn secure Premier League survival after establishing himself as a key player at Ewood Park since his 2009 move from Amiens.
Steve Kean singled out N'Zonzi as the player Rovers missed most when they lost to Manchester City in February, but the 23-year-old does not mind the responsibility of being a senior figure in a young side.
"I don't feel any pressure from that," he explained. "I just try to do my best like any other player.
"It is true that I like to pass the ball as much as I can. If that's good for the team then I'm happy.
"Even if I am still a young player, and have some experiences to learn, I think that year after year you learn more, grow in confidence, and it becomes easier to play."
N'Zonzi says the whole squad is pulling together in the battle against relegation, saying: "Everyone is aware that we need each other right now.
"We are going to work together, talk to each other, and try to help each other. We'll need to do this is if we are going to survive in this league."
