Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko has claimed that he is not looking to emulate Nemanja Matic's style of play as the Blues aim to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.
The champions of England are facing a personnel crisis in midfield, with N'Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater both ruled out and David Luiz joining Bakayoko in facing a fitness test due to a muscle problem.
Bakayoko was brought in to replace Matic after the Serbian was sold to Manchester United, but the France international is focused on being himself after adapting well during his first three months in London.
The former Monaco star told Sky Sports News: "My role is about linking up well with the player alongside me, whether it's N'Golo or Cesc [Fabregas]. We all know that N'Golo was named the best player in the Premier League, so I've been learning a lot from him.
"I'm not here to do what Matic did. Matic is a player that I really like; he's a very good footballer. I'm here to play my game, to try to implement what the coach asks, which means sticking tight to the opponents' playmaker, getting forward when I can and, above all, controlling the ball well and anticipating the play.
"I'm trying to show a mix of the two: part of what N'G [Kante] is about and the technique that Matic has. I've watched both players a lot and Chelsea are a club that I've always watched. I watched almost all of the club's games last season.
"I don't want to do what Matic did here just because I play in the same position as him. I'm trying to do what I know how to do and if the coach is happy with that, great. If he isn't, I'll keep working hard to become the player that he wants me to be."
Up next for Chelsea is a Premier League home encounter with Watford in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff.
Giuseppe Labellarte
