Aymeric Laporte claims he will have to match Sergio Ramos if he is to be considered the best defender in the world.
Ramos became infamous for taking out Mohamed Salah in the Champions League Final with a judo-throw challenge but Laporte believes Ramos is the benchmark for all defenders.
“Do I want to be the best defender in Europe?” said Laporte. “Of course. Any defender will tell you that. Who wouldn’t want to be the best?
“Sergio Ramos is probably the best centre-back in the world at the moment. We know we have to match his standards, or better them, if we are to be as good as he is.
(post-ads)
“City have Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, John Stones - all great defenders and we can all learn off each other.
“To get to the top, you must have an edge to your game, like Ramos does.”
Laporte, 24, is settled at City after taking a couple of months to adjust following his £57million January move from Athletic Bilbao and says he has adapted to the physical nature of Premier League.
“It’s similar to Spain, but more physical,” he said. “I’m really enjoying that aspect of it. I’ve enjoyed it from day one and I feel very much at home here.
“Every training session you take part in, you have to work very hard and train hard because there’s no other way to get where you want to be.
“It’s not a secret and not a magic formula - it’s just hard work and application.”
