Carlos Baleba has admitted he hates being compared to other footballers of his ilk. So he won't be impressed to learn that senior figures inside Manchester United believe the club has just signed someone who can have the same impact at Old Trafford as Roy Keane once did.
Keane comparison from United recruitment chiefs
That's quite a compliment - whether Baleba likes it or not. Because Keane remains one of United's all-time greats. One of the best midfielders of his generation. A rampaging enforcer who controlled games on his own. And won quite a few of them, too.
Those in charge of recruitment at Old Trafford, including Christopher Vivell and head of senior scouting Kyle Macauley, have spent months watching Baleba's development on the south coast, while pouring over video footage of his performances. And these two have seen qualities in the Cameroon international which remind them of Keane in his pomp. Why United have been persuaded to spend £70m on someone who Michael Carrick can go on to build his team around.
Ambition and idolisation
A bundle of pace, power and stamina, complimented with excellent passing and dribbling skills and that rare ability to anticipate what is going to happen in a game's engine room. Baleba grew up idolising Paul Pogba and has a long-held ambition to win the Ballon d'Or. He is not lacking in ambition.
"Everyone talking about you, singing your name? That just doesn't do it for me. It's not something that gets me running. I just prefer getting my head down and working on the pitch."
Life change ahead
If Baleba proves a success at United, he won't have a choice in the matter when it comes to being hero worshipped and revered. He will have to accept his life has changed. "At the end of my career, I want to have an individual title, to play and mark a little bit of history like the great midfielders have done before," he went on. "And then win trophies, lots of trophies, with my club and my country."
United will now be keeping everything crossed he goes on to achieve his ambitions.
