Chelsea
midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko says he is not concerned about replicating the
success of Nemanja Matic as the Blues look to get their Premier League title
defence back on track.
The champions could have only one senior midfielder fit for the Saturday
lunchtime clash at home to Watford, live on Sky Sports Premier League, 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.
It would come as a setback for the former Monaco midfielder, who scored his
first Premier League goal in the 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace last weekend.
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 west London.
He told Sky Sports: "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."
Bakayoko is proud of where he has come from, with the No 14 shirt worn
throughout his career a reminder of the neighbourhood he has come from, the
14th district in Paris.
The 23-year-old hopes to be wearing the number for the foreseeable future at
Stamford Bridge, having already scored twice in 11 appearances for the
Premier League champions.
"So far, things have been positive," he added. "I've played in several games
already and we've picked up some good results. The last two or three matches
haven't gone quite as well, but I feel that I'm still progressing. I'm
playing for one of the best managers in the world. Many of the best players
in the world are also here, so you can't help but improve.
"Antonio Conte is one of the main reasons why I signed for the club. I knew
that he was a coach who'd help me improve in terms of tactical awareness,
and who has won many trophies. He has enjoyed success wherever he has been.
In tactical terms, I think I've taken on what he expects from the team and
his players.
"Now I need to improve on the ball and there are some little details that
need to be smoothed out. I'm improving and in a few weeks' time, I hope to
be have progressed further in all facets of the game."
Bakayoko follows a well-trodden path from France to Cobham, and the
midfielder is grateful to the role played by former Chelsea anchorman Claude
Makelele in developing his game during his time as technical director at
Monaco.
The pair had regular conversations during their time together at Stade Louis
II, with Makelele influential in helping him develop into a vital player in
the club's Ligue 1 title success and run to the Champions League semi-finals
last season.
Following his £40m summer transfer, Bakayoko already feels at home.
"I feel very settled here. London is a big city and I'm enjoying it here. I
have great team-mates and the fans are passionately behind me, which is
something that was missing at Monaco last year.
"There were far fewer fans there. Monaco have a small stadium and it's in a
small principality. The fanbase wasn't as big, but the fans at Monaco were
still good. They did get behind the team, but everything is 10 times bigger
and 10 times louder here.
"It's exactly how I expected it to be. There are plenty of top players and
fantastic stadiums with great atmospheres in every game. I'm in the league
that I expected to be playing in and it's a dream for me to play here.
"I'm really happy to be here and test myself. I know I'm going to progress
and achieve my goals both with my club and on an individual level."
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