Fulham star Clint Dempsey insists he is not attempting to become the first American player to achieve any types of milestones in European football.
The Texan attacker has scored the most English Premier League goals by a player form the USA, notching 43 to surpass ex-Cottagers striker Brian McBride's total of 36.
But Dempsey says it is not a goal of his to beat, or set, any records as he simply wants to be the best he can be for both club and country.
"It's always good to be doing well and to get accolades and stuff like that. But I'm not trying to be the first American to do this," he said. "I'm just trying to be the best player that I possibly can be."
But Dempsey does admit that being one of very few Americans playing in England's top flight does make him feel the need to put in a better shift as the nation continues to put its best foot forward in world soccer.
"I guess you'll kind of feel that way until maybe you're doing better as a country as far as going further in World Cups or you have Americans who are playing on the biggest teams in the world.""Being an American, I think you have a little bit of a chip on your shoulder because there's a point to prove," Dempsey said ahead of the USA's friendly with Italy in Genoa on Wednesday.
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