The same is true of Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy, who took over in the summer to reshape a Bluebirds team reeling from relegation to League One.
The Irishman has instilled an energetic, attacking style of play similar to Bellamy’s with Wales, and he has built his side around Cardiff academy products.
That has led to an influx of Cardiff players in recent Wales squads, with the latest featuring four academy graduates, including Kpakio.
“He (Barry-Murphy) is so important. He’s really changed how we’ve all thought,” Kpakio adds.
“Our mindset has been formed into something that we really cherish. You see how we play, how we press, for example, it’s so high in intensity, and he’s a big part of that, along with the other staff.
“I’d say the style of play really suits me as a player, I really like it. I’m more comfortable and confident in what I do.”
Kpakio embodies many qualities of the modern full-back: adventurous and creative, equally adept at overlapping and galloping beyond the winger in front or inverting to link play in midfield.
“I’d say I’m very positive with how I play. I overlap, people will have seen how many times we do it, how aggressive I am,” he says.
“When you’re younger, there’s a lot of players you want to look at but, playing as a right-back, I watched players like Reece James, Trent [Alexander-Arnold], [Jeremie] Frimpong, players who have that attacking nature. They’re able to show what they can do going forward as well as defending.”
In the midst of a busy period for Cardiff and Wales, Kpakio will have plenty of opportunities to show how effectively he can do both.
Given the trajectory of his young career so far, he is only going in one direction.
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