Bruno benefits from energy and versatility

Aston Villa v Liverpool: Houllier's new French recruit keen to show academy credentials as Taylor turns to Swede

As summer dawned, Bruno Cheyrou was a promising, but inexperienced, midfielder plying his trade for an unfancied French club. Two months and a £5m move to the Premiership later, the young Frenchman now finds himself in the national squad for the first time. "Do you think the name Liverpool had anything to do with it?" he jokes.

The fact that he has swapped the north of France for the north of England has undoubtedly helped the former Lille star, raising his profile and reaffirming his status as France's answer to David Beckham. But more than his new employers' high standing, it is the reputation of a compatriot that has most contributed to Cheyrou's promotion. Gérard Houllier is not just the manager of Liverpool Football Club. Having coached his country and then masterminded their triumph at the World Cup in 1998 as National Technical Director, the 55-year-old still enjoys considerable power in the French federation corridors.

When he was visited by France's new manager, Jacques Santini, after the Community Shield in Cardiff last weekend, Houllier was asked whether he felt Cheyrou was ready for the step up from club to international football. "Yes," was the French technician's immediate response, "although you have to admit that he is going to have his work cut out to make an impact because he is competing with Zinedine Zidane and Robert Pires for a place. But Jacques knows Bruno and his qualities, and his selection is well-deserved for the work he has put in at Lille over the last three seasons."

Houllier does not just extol Cheyrou's virtues to justify the fee he paid for the left-sided midfielder, but because he has genuine belief in him. "What you notice about players of Bruno's generation," says Houllier, who deliberately left Cheyrou on the bench at the Millennium Stadium so that he could observe the English game, but looks set to give him his debut today against Aston Villa, "is that they are all well-educated in a football sense. They have been through academies and even pre-academies, and taught the necessary skills right from the start. That's different compared to most English players, who perhaps haven't been given the same sort of coaching from an early age."

The sudden elevation to the ranks of Les Bleus has obviously thrilled Cheyrou, but it is the day job with Les Rouges that is the priority. "What has happened to me in the last few weeks is incredible," the 24-year-old says. "We all know that things in football move very quickly and I guess that I am just lucky that, for the moment at least, my career is moving in the right direction. It's very exciting because I sort of have two clubs right now: one in Liverpool where I practise English and one in France where I get the chance to speak my mother tongue. I think about next week's friendly in Tunis, of course I do, but I'm not getting big-headed. I know more than anyone that I am going to have to perform well with my club every week if I want to stay with the national élite. This is my chance – it's up to me to take it."

Cheyrou was first approached by Houllier in March. A few weeks later, a deal was struck between the two clubs, and the Frenchman was invited to visit Liverpool. Once on Merseyside, it did not take Cheyrou long to seal the move. "You don't say no to Liverpool," he says, "and you definitely don't say no to Gérard. Don't get me wrong, I sat down and considered my options before taking the plunge, not least because I had to consult my wife [Emmanuel Petit's sister] about such a big change, but it's fair to say that I was immediately impressed by the club. The training facilities are incredible, the manager is very special, and this is a legendary club. Somehow, this move feels just right for me."

Although not in the same category as most players who arrive at Liverpool, Cheyrou does have a decent pedigree. He has a French Second Division winner's medal, finished in the top six in the First for the last two years, and gained Champions' League experience last season, when Lille played Manchester United in the first group stages. More than his CV, though, it is his versatility which has caught the eye.

Cheyrou has spent much of his career patrolling up and down the left flank, but he can play anywhere in the midfield. He has even proved himself an able old-fashioned link man between the midfield and the attack à la Teddy Sheringham or Gianfranco Zola. With the Finnish international Jari Litmanen out of favour at Anfield, Cheyrou's adaptability could prove vital to Liverpool's title chances. "It's good to be able to slot into different positions," says the Suresnes-born midfielder. "If you want to be successful, you need several strings to your bow, but you have to be careful not to become a jack of all trades and master of none. I like doing as much as possible, whether it be passing, tackling, or taking free-kicks. It's in my nature to get involved."

No wonder people make the connection with Beckham. The white boots and widespread popularity are the obvious similarities, but the two midfielders' roles and energy levels are also comparable. "It's a great honour to be mentioned in the same breath as David," Cheyrou admits, "and I don't mind if people want to compare me with one of the best midfielders in the world. In fact, I watch a lot of videos of Beckham and Zidane, because you can learn so much from studying the way they play. I'm getting there, but I still have some way to go. That's why I don't know if I can be expected to be the one who dictates play. At Lille, my role was slightly unusual, as I tended to drift in and out of central areas. For the early stages at least, I expect the same to happen at Liverpool. But I'm not worried where I play; all that matters is that I'm here."

The move from Lille to Liverpool should suit Cheyrou, if only because the two clubs play similar styles. Both rely on pace and athleticism, and, more importantly, both have perfected the art of sitting back and hitting opponents on the break. But, while signing for Liverpool may feel like a natural progression for this confident player, he is also fully aware that he has stepped into a different world. "It's a new life that begins," he says. "I start all over again from now on."

And with that, the Frenchman was off. He has a trip to Tunisia next Wednesday to plan. International commitments oblige these days.