Samir Nasri Quotes

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.

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.

Everything I did on the left I had to learn in a 4-4-2 system, it wasn't natural. To collect the ball on my wrong foot.

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.

When I used to play against Bayern, Xabi Alonso always used to give me a really hard time. He was so experienced... he made me suffer. The way he'd keep switching play just meant that you could never stop running. He was very intelligent.

I like to create chances, to shoot when I play farther forward, but I also like playing deeper, as you have more time on the ball.

Whether I play five or 10 metres forward or back does not change my way of playing, to be on the ball a lot.

It does not matter to me. I can play from the left, the right, or attack through the middle.

I can be the only defensive midfielder and try and break up play. Or I can play a little more forward.

I like the idea of playing with a bit more tactical freedom, either in a deeper role or supporting the strikers more often.

I would prefer to play for and against an attacking team, but I am now used to playing against defensive teams.

It's something that I have to learn to do: affect the game in a different way. If I don't get it on the offensive end, try to get it on the defensive end.

I feel comfortable in the playmaker role, but I can play on the left, on the right, and even pivot.

I like to be in contact with the ball, have possession, to play.

Not many know this, but in training sessions, I like to play in the center-back position sometimes. I think I'm good at that position, and my father used to be a central defender. Some people don't realize that if you play in that position, you can better understand how the defender thinks.

I have been playing box-to-box more for Everton as a two, so I have felt comfortable in that position, but anywhere across the midfield I can play.

A keeper has to adjust his game to the team. If the team moves further up, he has to do the same. It's nothing I've invented.

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'd like to think I'm an attacking creative midfielder who can assist with goals.

If the spaces open up in the attack, then of course I'm willing to take it because I love to get involved; I love to get crosses in. I love to do combinations and just bring a different aspect to our game.

If I'm played out of position, I'll always give 100%, but everyone knows I would rather play down the middle.

The way you adapt and play against different teams and different styles is going to be important.

In my time at Milan, the club played with a 4-3-1-2 formation, and I was the player behind the two strikers. At Real, I play behind three. There is a greater defensive obligation, but I try to work around the area.

I received a lot of criticism maybe because in England they are not accustomed to seeing a playmaker with my skills. Because I'm not a physical player but I think more about playing the ball.

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.