Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko says Claude Makelele has been a huge influence on his career.

The former Blues ace is now assistant coach at Swansea City.

Bakayoko told The Sun: “I'm a pretty straightforward guy but there are certain things I'll experiment with to bring a bit more colour into my life.

“In Monaco, I drove cars of different colours, had my hair in different colours — but here I'm doing it a bit less. I've grown up now. I'm more mature. But I still like a splash of colour in my life.

“Claude arrived at Monaco and spent six months at the club, and sought me out immediately. He told me he believed me, counted on me, told me what I had to work on. Showed what areas I had to work on and improve so I could offer more.

“I knew the big player he'd been, such a glittering career as one of the best midfielders in the world, so I knew it was important to take on board what he said, and to listen to everything he told me.

“Over time I felt I did improve as a player and gained in confidence, and a lot of that was down to Claude. Today, even now, he helps me now that I am here in England.

“Claude is still someone who helps me a lot. He is someone I speak with and he brings so much experience in the advice he gives me.

“What's more, being at Chelsea — a club where he played — it means it's only natural I'm going to listen to every single word he tells me.

“I know that it is through listening to someone like that I'll progress and improve as a player so that I succeed here."