Tanguy Ndombele has played down comparisons between himself and Premier League midfielders past and present, and insists that he is out to prove himself a unique talent for both Tottenham and France.
Tottenham beat off stiff competition to land Ndombele in a club-record deal this summer, with the likes of Manchester United, PSG and Juventus all linked with the 22-year-old French international.
Ndombele impressed during his two seasons with Lyon, earning comparisons with the likes of compatriot Paul Pogba due to his impressive first touch, eye for a pass and dribbling ability.
But Ndombele has laughed off comparisons with the Manchester United star, told L'Equipe: "I have heard it all. I am here to make my own path.
"Paul has made his own in England. I am Tanguy: not the new [Michael] Essien; not the new Pogba."
Asked what sort of player he wants to become in north London, Ndombele replied: "Myself. I want to be myself.
"I want to become the person I am supposed to become. I am here to work, I am 22, I am not at my maximum I don’t think, I hope in any case."
Ndombele has made six appearances for the French national side, and faces a tall order to displace the likes of N'Golo Kante and Pogba in Didier Deschamps' midfield.
The 22-year-old made his France debut as a substitute for Pogba against Iceland in October 2018, and while Ndombele accepts that he must bide his time, he is ready for the challenge.
"I am not going to say that I am far away, but [Kante and Pogba] are ahead of me. There is work to do, I need to continue to hustle.
"They became world champions, so automatically they are ahead of me. They have more experience than me too. I see it in training during sequences.
"These little details, movements, turns. I am eternally unsatisfied, so I will continue to learn."
