Ross Barkley Quotes

Personally, I always try to focus on the little things in my game. As a defender and attacking outside back, I continuously work on completing passes, not being too predictable going forward into the attack, good services into the box, good positioning and footwork.

The key is developing your game in both directions: in the build-up, joining the attack at the right moment and also in defence. You have to win the one-on-one situations and need the required pace and technique. These are the decisive factors for a defender.

I have always been comfortable in possession, but it is tracking and tackling that I have been working on.

When you play eleven a side, you might go through a game with very few touches, but with street football, you're always involved in the game, so it is a great way to improve your skill and to learn how to create and use space, as the pitch is very small.

That's something a point guard can always work on, with keeping his dribble alive a little better. It's so important.

I myself feel that I'm a well-rounded player and got a lot better defensively and without the puck as time has gone on.

Playing in midfield is a different ball game. You have to be on the half-turn all the time, have a different picture in your head of what is behind you and in front of you. Playing at right-back is different again.

I know when I step into midfield I have to sharpen my feet up and be more aware of what's around me, at centre back it's more about timing, positioning and communication.

I am a defender, but I can play the ball. I have a good technique.

Guardiola likes footballers who can pass the ball, who have eyes for the best position and the right runs.

Each coach you have gives a little something to every player, but the one who changed my game the most was Mancini. He taught me to play more outside the area, dropping me back a bit.

The evolution of football has seen a reduction in the space between the teams. It is therefore important for the modern footballer to react and be quicker than in the past, because there is more happening in the restricted space.

You need to beat a defender when you have the ball. You need to be able to successfully pass to a team-mate, and there are other attributes needed to be the complete player.

You cannot play the position Kroos plays in defensive midfield besides Luka Modric better than he does.

Every good, successful player, especially an attacking player, has a well-developed sense of space and time.

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

Playing me in different positions helped me to get in the head of the others players: to know what they're thinking, where and how they are going to move.

For me, playing simply is dribbling. For me, playing one or two touches is harder. Playing simply is the most difficult thing.

I wasn't a natural defender. I was a striker as a kid. I have learned a lot but there is more to learn, of course.

I have great technique, a good shot, and I'm pretty good in the air.

I know people say you have to be big and strong to play in the Premier League, but you cannot just judge a player by their size. You have to look at their other qualities, too.

You have to create a habit of finding the right positions and knowing where the ball's going to bounce to.

I have improved a lot, but I would like to improve more, to be better defensively and understand the play better.

During my time with Maccabi Tel Aviv, I learned how to play better by using my head. I was given the chance of playing a more forward position so I could score many goals. In short, I have become a player who can score goals and win games.

To play as an anchor man you have to be extremely disciplined and a lot of the time you're attracted to the ball but can't go there because if you don't get there or it breaks down there is a hole.