CHERRIES’ club record signing Jefferson Lerma could tomorrow go toe-to-toe in midfield with one of his idols in Chelsea star N'Golo Kanté.
The combative midfielder revealed his admiration for the France international ahead of Cherries' clash at Stamford Bridge (3pm).
Kante was voted PFA player of the year during the 2016-17 campaign as Chelsea stormed to the title under Antonio Conte.
The previous season, he played an integral role in guiding Leicester City to the biggest upset in top-flight history in winning the crown under Claudio Ranieri.
A World Cup winner with France, 27-year-old Kante started every game as Les Bleus lifted the trophy after beating Croatia 4-2 in the final at Russia 2018.
Lerma, who briefly met the Chelsea star in France, made his competitive debut as Cherries overcame MK Dons 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.
He told the Daily Echo: “I look up to Kante as an example as a player.
“He is one of the best players at recovering the ball, working hard and I want to be like him, I feel I am like him.”
Lerma, who joined Cherries from Levante for £25million this summer, also revealed his admiration for ex-Premier League stars and Champions’ League winners Claude Makélélé and Xavi Alonso.
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