Crystal Palace signing Luke Plange admits he draws inspiration from Derby boss Wayne Rooney.
Plange has returned to Derby on-loan to June.
Still developing at the tender age of 19, Plange explained his style of play and his most important inspirations – including his current manager.
“I like to do it all," he told Palace TV. “I like to run in-behind, I like to come to feet, I like to take on players. To shoot from outside the box, poach inside the box, on my left and my right.
“Ronaldo or Thierry Henry [were my idols]. They were just world class. I've been watching them for a long time: clips or old games. They were really powerful, skilful and scored loads of goals as well.
“[Wayne Rooney] was a world class striker for many years – for decades. The amount of goals he scored, you really can't knock him because he was doing it for years and years and years.
“I'm taking tips and he's helping me grow as a striker, and all the things he's telling me I'm just trying to implement into my game and improve as a striker as well."
Plange will remain with Derby for the remainder of the season, as they look to secure a remarkable survival in the Championship.
“I was always going to fight for Derby until the end of the season due to the current situation," he said. “It's a tough situation that they don't deserve to be in. I'm going to be there doing all I can do, putting in my all for the team, and hopefully see out this season as well as possible.
“When I looked at the situation and the opportunity, I knew there was an opportunity for me [to develop], and it's also helping Derby in the process. It's a very good one to take."
After progressing through the Arsenal Academy as a youngster, Plange is excited to play under Patrick Vieira, as well as linking up with some former teammates when he gets started.
“He [Vieira] is such a big name for Arsenal as well, and part of the Invincible team," he said. “That's a big figure to be playing underneath as well.
“I know a couple [of the squad] like Michael [Olise] and Jes [Rak-Sakyi] as well. I used to play against them a lot. I'm just looking forward to meeting the rest of them at the end of the season.
“There's a lot of young players playing [for Palace] in the Premier League, such as Michael Olise and [Eberechi] Eze.
“I'm just really looking forward to doing the same thing: trying to get into the team and push as much as possible, doing what I'm doing in the Championship and working as hard as possible to get to that point."
