The surname is familiar, so too the elegance on the ball – though not the position.

But Eastbourne Borough loanee Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain is determined to follow his brother Alex into the big time.

Or his dad Mark, who played in the top flight and represented England, for that matter.

The younger Oxlade-Chamberlain is a few days into his second month at Borough after being sent out by Portsmouth.

This is the final season of his current Pompey contract so he needs to catch a few eyes.

Any impact he can make in National League south can only help that – but that impression will not be made out on the touchline.

The Argus:

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The 18–year-old midfielder said: “I’m a different type of player to Alex and Dad. They were more wingers. I was a bit bigger and slower but I can dribble when I need to.

“I started out as a midfielder. When I went to Portsmouth I went out on to the wing for a year but then I went back to midfield.

“I would think people expect me to be the same as the other two.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain was born in Portsmouth and, unlike his brother who moved up the M27 to Southampton, stayed there.

Pompey brought him through the ranks but, clearly, the help he got from home was also a big influence.

He said: “It was always competitive at home but Alex was five years older than me so I was never really much competition.

The Argus:

“Dad (pictured above) used to join in until recently but his knees are giving up now!

"Without his guidance I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am. His biggest lesson was just to give it your all.”

Coaches like Paul Hardyman at Portsmouth have been keen not to put too much pressure on Christian because of his name.

But the player himself said: “It’s an advantage. The advice I get from them is unbelievably important for me.

"I definitely want to follow Alex. That’s why I’m here, to get as far in the game as I can. I would rather be doing what Alex was doing at my age (playing his first season for Arsenal) but everyone progresses through the game at a different speed.”

Strangely, Oxlade-Chamberlain attended a rugby-playing school at St John’s College, Southsea. In the absence of football, he enjoyed hockey and was particularly keen on cricket.

He said: “When I was maybe ten or 12, I wanted to be a cricketer. I had two trials with Hampshire but never got in. I enjoyed keeping wicket and batting. Me and my brother were both wicketkeepers.”

Borough boss Tommy Widdrington, whose side are in FA Trophy third qualifying round action at Leiston tomorrow, has enjoyed what he has seen from his loanee.

Widdrington said: “He had a good first month. He started every game but at that age he will not see out every 90 minutes.

“Two weeks ago he was one of the star performers, last Saturday not so much, but you get that with youngsters.”

Oxlade-Chamberlain knows what his goals are for this season.

He said: “My main aim now will be to impress Tom and my coaches at Pompey. I want to get my fitness up, get that sharpness.

“I’m hoping at some point this season to make the first team.

“I’m only with Eastbourne on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays but I spend the rest of the week at Pompey so they know how I’m progressing.”