Phil Jones Quotes

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

For me, David Silva is a fantastic player because his technique is incredible, and he understands when the right time to pass the ball is.

Tactically, I know how to play on one side even though I remain convinced that I can play better through the middle.

When you're wide, you're taught to try and get in at the far post so the ball doesn't go straight across, but from that central position, you can use your instinct where to go.

Usually, the most intelligent player is a midfielder.

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 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.

Playing at fullback it's part of your role to get up and take those high balls.

What features in a midfielder am I after? Players who have the mindset to win every game - then we can start to talk about the technical quality.

I have worked on my defense skills and played in the midfield as well. Coaches are preparing players to play at any given position.

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

As a youngster as I was a centre-half, I liked being on the ball and coming out from the back. I took chances so I got put in midfield and then I was playing all over the pitch so adjusted wherever I needed to play.

Busquets reads everything. Players like Busquets or Xabi Alonso in midfield have the capacity to read the whole game.

When we lose the ball, I don't want to win it back directly. I act smarter now, have better anticipation, and also start earlier when somebody tries to lob the ball over me.

Sometimes in midfield, it's nice because you do get a little bit more of the ball, and maybe out wide you rely on people to get you the ball.

I like Jorginho, the way he plays and passes.

Before I receive the ball I already know how that play is developing so I'm able to give rhythm to that play.

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.

Maybe modern tactics mean that making the switch from defence to midfield is easier. Many years ago, full backs were more limited - you were just supposed to defend, and it didn't matter if you could get forward too.

I like to play anywhere in the middle.

I like to control the ball and analyse the game.

Normally, I play in midfield where I'm challenging the players and trying to take the ball.

The best player I ever played with is probably Cesc Fabregas. I only got to play with him for a year before he went back to Barcelona, but I learned so much from him - the way he knew what he was going to do with the ball before he got it and his passing - and he scored goals.

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

Busquets is a great player. I have many things to learn from him: how he shapes the game from the back, his positioning, the balance he provided in the midfielder.