Nabil Bentaleb says he will continue to drive himself every day to become a better player.

The young midfielder enjoyed a fantastic first full campaign in 2014-15, cementing a place in the first team and forming a regular partnership with fellow Academy graduate Ryan Mason.

Nabil started 25 matches as we finished fifth in the Premier League in a total of 35 appearances in all competitions and played for Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

“I’m really happy with my season but like I’ve said before, I know I can do better,” he said. “I can contribute more offensively, score more goals and do better in my defensive work. I will learn from my mistakes and I won’t make them again.”

Respected by his peers as an outstanding trainer day in, day out, Nabil highlights his work ethic as key to his rise through the Academy and Development Squad to the main stage in the last couple of seasons.

“I remember what got me to the first team in the first place and it was because I worked really hard every day in the Academy and in the Development Squad and if I lose that work ethic, I will lose myself,” he said.

“I can’t afford to do that, it’s what got me here.

“I always want more. You look at the best players in the world, the superstars, and they work really hard every day.

“They are the best in the world yet they work harder than most. That’s what I’m trying to do. I want to improve, I want to learn and I will give my all every day to do that.”

Nabil was one of five Academy graduates to start the Capital One Cup Final at Wembley alongside Ryan, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend.

He picks the March Wembley final as one of his moments of the season but defeat against Chelsea that day hit hard – and Nabil believes that will drive the players on next term.

“You can’t become a champion in any sport without tasting defeat and disappointment along the way,” he said. “That’s a big thing for me.

“The great basketball player Michael Jordan said ‘I scored 300 points, but I missed 600 to score 300’. It’s a quote I always remember, so when you fall on the floor you get up and use the experience to make you stronger. That’s what this squad will do.”