Carlo Ancelotti Quotes

I consider myself as this kind of attacking midfielder, trying to find the gaps between the opposition midfielders and defenders and produce what the team needs between the lines.

Firmino is a player who is really good at adapting to different positions. He is a No. 9, but he helps a lot in build-up play.

The way Guardiola plays suits me. It enables me to get into space in attacking positions.

The No 10 position is my favourite role, and I'm a player who likes to play in between the lines and try and break that midfield line.

As a holding midfield player, you want movement and to play between the lines.

I like to play as a No. 10. I think I have more freedom offensively. For Belgium, we have full backs who run hard and create a lot of space, which is good, and I like to play there.

I've always liked technical, creative central midfielders with the capacity to score goals, such as David Silva, Samir Nasri, and Santi Cazorla.

I like it when I am in the middle; I am closer to the ball. The manager wants me to pass, to make assists, create chances, and I do more because I think the position is more central, and I don't ask all the time for the ball at my feet.

A couple of games, I played up front when Diego Costa was not there. We know to create movement - not even to get the ball, but create space for others. Now I understand football is not always with the ball at my feet.

There's just a misconception that comes with being a dual-threat quarterback. You run first, throw second. I've proven I throw first and then run if I have to.

As England manager I always felt we needed an extra man in midfield to retain the ball, but that was more as an attacking ploy to help create opportunities. It came from my experience playing international football in a 4-4-2 and spending half my time chasing the ball.

I'm famous for being a silky midfielder.

I often felt as a player in a 4-4-2, you end up being outnumbered in midfield and chasing the ball, so as a manager I liked wingbacks to push forward; it gives the midfield player on the ball three or four options.

If I'm playing higher up the pitch, it's important I don't get carried away and start dropping too deep and I stay in my position.

Normally, midfielders only pass the ball, but I dribble as well.

It's not easy to create chances or a game when you're just receiving long balls.

Not everything is seen that happens on the pitch - the teammate in a good position, where it might get dangerous, how a situation develops.

When you have players like Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale, and Joe Allen, you've got to play football.

When you are playing with a few players in the pocket, it doesn't leave me isolated. I have a bit more space to work and be higher up the pitch.

I would like to do what Cristiano has done: start wide and go into the middle as a No. 10 or 9.

If there's a shot on, I like to take the opportunity as well, and I like passing the ball - which is one of the reasons I came to Arsenal. But I'm a player that likes to come up with an end product - whether that's a goal, an assist, or helping the team to get good results.

Pastore has so many qualities. Every pass he makes puts our forwards into position and we create a lot of opportunities thanks to him.

As I'm growing up, going into holding midfield, I'm watching Busquets quite a lot for Barcelona. The way he controls the game, his reading of it, technically, defensively - everything about him cuts him out above the rest. I'm really enjoying watching him.

I've grown up playing in central midfield more, and I think my natural game is about coming inside from wide.

I can play as a No. 8, a No. 10, out wide. Wherever I play, I'll be happy, I'm sure.