Ander Iturraspe: 'I am different to Xabi Alonso'

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Iturraspe has played down comparisons with Bayern Munich's Xabi Alonso.

Iturraspe is seen by many as the successor to Alonso in the Spain set-up, but the 25-year-old believes that he is "a completely different player" to the former Real Madrid midfielder.

"Xabi has achieved many amazing things in the game; he has brought so much to every club he has played for as well as the national side," he told AS.

"I do try to learn things from him, but obviously I am a completely different player."

Iturraspe, 25, made his first-team debut for Bilbao in 2008.