Daniel Pappoe says he has the perfect mentor to help him achieve success at Colchester United this season.
The 19-year-old central defender is on a six-month loan spell at the U’s from Premier League giants Chelsea.
Pappoe is the latest of a string of talented top-flight youngsters to have spent time with Joe Dunne’s squad.
And he revealed his close bond with fellow Ghanian and Chelsea team-mate Michael Essien is helping inspire him, during his time in north Essex.
Pappoe said: “I’m really close to Michael Essien and I really look up to him.
“He’s like an older brother to me and when I’m at home, I’m always with him and I speak to him all the time.
“He knows every game that I play and he takes an interest in my game.”
Pappoe will be pushing for a place in Dunne’s all-important starting line-up for Colchester’s League One curtain-raiser at Gillingham, on Saturday.
And ahead of the big kick-off, the Chelsea youngster said he has received words of advice from former England captain and fellow centre-back John Terry.
“Before I came to Colchester, I spoke to John Terry and he told me to keep doing the things that I’ve been doing,” said Pappoe, a member of Chelsea’s FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2010.
“He knows my game and John told me to do what the manager wants me to do.
“John is someone who I know is on the other end of the phone if I need him.
“Chelsea is a club that’s very open and it’s the same as Colchester, in that respect.
“It’s very good when you have a relationship there between the senior and young players - not every club is like that.”
Pappoe is keen to play as many games as he can during his loan spell with Colchester, which runs until January 12.
The powerful defender has featured heavily in pre-season and scored his first U’s goal in their 2-1 friendly win at Maldon and Tiptree, last weekend.
Pappoe added: “I want to play as many games as possible and whatever the manager wants to do, I’m happy.
“I’m here to learn and I’m learning from him but I want to bring what I have to offer to the team.
“I’m very happy that Colchester United and the manager showed interest in me.
“He had to believe in me a little bit to bring me here and now it’s up to me to prove to him that it’s a good choice.
“I want to be in a squad that’s pushing for something good.”
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