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No other player made more 'ball recoveries' (effectively winning loose/second ballls) in the Championship this weekend that Han-Noah Massengo (17; next best was Preston's Paul Gallagher and Luton's Sonny Bradley on 12).

The midfield marvel travels to Spain this week to link up with the France U19 squad who play in an invitational tournament against England and Belgium.

But before he left, the former Monaco player gave an extensive interview with the club in Saturday's official match day programme, in which he discussed life at his old club and at his new.

That education on the continent included playing with some rather illustrious household names...

"Those experiences in Ligue 1 and the Champions League were very tough but thanks to those matches it gave me great experience," the 18-year-old Robins central midfielder said.

"I played against Antoine Griezmann and Christian Pulisic, and it makes you look at what you have to do to be like them, to get to the top so it was very good experiences.

"I think the toughest opponent was Atletico Madrid. That was my first start as a professional, in a big stadium.

"But I think the best opponent I have played was Kylian Mbappe. He started at Monaco as did I. I started in the Academy when he was starting out and I watched every game he played. He was a dream. Him or Neymar are the best players I have played against," he explained.

"This guy is crazy good. He does everything so quickly and I think if I want to be the best, to improve I need to use these players as my inspiration. They always want to be the best and do the best they can," added Massengo on a player widely tipped to success Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world's best in the years ahead.

Massengo, who made his playing debut in the Champions League at just 17 years and 122 days old, spent 10 years coming through the ranks at the Stade Louis II but has explained why he needed to move on.

Bristol City were the club to capitalise, agreeing a transfer fee starting at around £2.7m, according to our sources.

"In Monaco I didn't play a lot of professional football but the Championship is always intense. You have to be focused always because if you are not, the opponent can pull away with a goal," he explained.

"The best thing about my move has been playing regularly. At Monaco I played only seven games and after two months with the first team I was in the second team.

"Here I am part of the first team, I am playing and that is best for me because I want to improve and I want to become more experienced.

"I was attracted by the project, when the gaffer spoke to me about this and what he wants from me and how I can develop here and immediately I want to come here. I'm glad to be here," he told the club programme.

Maybe Bristol City fans will be the ones to see the benefits of that education - and more dazzling displays in the middle - over the seasons to come.

Get lots more news, opinion and transfer updates on our Bristol City FC page - and add a bookmark to find it quickly next time.