The teenage midfielder is making quite a name for himself in France having stepped out of an academy system which is famed for producing top talent

Houssem Aouar is hoping to follow in the illustrious footsteps of fellow Lyon academy graduates Alexandre Lacazette and Nabil Fekir.

The 19-year-old is the latest exciting talent to roll off a production line which continues to churn out players of international calibre.

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In the past, the likes of current Arsenal striker Lacazette, Real Madrid frontmarn Karim Benzema and highly-rated playmaker Fekir have emerged through the ranks at their home-town club.

Aouar has now added his name to that list, with the teenager catching the eye as he sets about treading a path similar to that which has carried colleagues past and present to the top of the game.

He told Goal on the inspiration he takes from the likes of Lacazette: “I still have a long way to go and I know that I must work hard to get there and imitate these illustrious players.

“They are great players and I will try to be like them.

“They have marked the history of this club and Lyon is my club, it’s my city, so I would like to do that too.”

Aouar has made just 15 senior appearances to date, so has a long way to go before he can claim to occupy a standing alongside the great and good at Lyon.

He is, however, setting about that task in the best possible manner, with his displays having drawing widespread acclaim.

A global audience is now starting to take note of his talent, while those in France continue to monitor him closely.

National team coach Didier Deschamps is among the interested spectators, but Aouar is reluctant to be drawn on whether he could make a late run for a place at next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

He said on his international ambitions: “Of course as a player we all dream of it [the World Cup]. But I don’t forget where I have come from.”

For now, Aouar is looking to earn his first cap at U21 level, having been included in Les Bleuets’ latest squad for games against Bulgaria and Slovenia.

“I don’t forget that I was not even selected among the youth teams a few months ago,” he added.

“We must go step by step – I hope to impose myself here with the U21s above all else.”