James Maddison Quotes

I was always smaller than the rest coming up at Coventry, and I developed physically more in the later stages.

I got to play first-team men’s football from a young age.

One of my biggest attributes, if you speak to my coaches from when I was a young lad, is that I’ve always believed in my own ability and been a confident young man.

If, just because it’s the Premier League, I started trying to play the simple pass instead of trying the harder pass, that is not the type of person I am, to be honest.

I was still only 19 when I went to Scotland, but it was a good loan move for me to play those extra games.

Norwich is a brilliant platform for me.

I learnt so much at Coventry – I was playing as a regular at 17, most weeks. And that’s something that left me in good stead.

All the moves I’ve made have come after I sat down with my family and my agent and thought what was the best move. I’ve never rushed into something, never gone anywhere where I wasn’t sure 100%.

Parents are the perfect people to talk to. They have no hidden agendas.

I’ve loved every second of playing my first season in the Premier League. I feel like I belong here, and this is the level I want to be at for the rest of my career.

Players judge their careers based on medals and trophies, don’t they, and they look back on what they have achieved.

I still pinch myself when I see myself on ‘Match of the Day’ – it’s at times like that you realise how far you’ve come.

The only way you’re going to improve is playing games and learning, being a regular week on week.

The No.10 position is my favourite role.

You base your career on success.

Every footballer wants to play in big games, in front of full houses, live on the telly.

I was only in Scotland for four months or something, but I look back at that, and it was a big learning curve for me in that short spell. I went there with an open mind to show everyone in Scotland what I was about. Looking back, I am very glad with the decision I made.

The Premier League is the best league, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.

Derek McInnes gave me that platform to showcase what I can do, so I’m thankful.

Even at 22, you just want a manager to trust you.

Dele Alli is probably the perfect example. He played loads of games for MK Dons at a young age. He got a move and kicked on from there because he had that experience behind him.

I am a player who likes to play in between the lines and try to break that midfield line, whether it’s when I receive a pass or can go and show everyone what I am about.

Set pieces are something I work hard at after training, and I hit quite a lot every day.

The Premier League is the toughest league in the world, so it’s never going to be easy to get minutes.

I think I have the right balance of believing in my own ability and having that confidence on the pitch: people watching you thinking, ‘He knows he’s a good player,’ but without taking it to that level where it’s, ‘He’s an arrogant so-and-so.’

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

I will try to showcase what I have to offer.

I’m learning and constantly getting better.

There’s never been a point when I’ve questioned myself. If I’ve ever had a setback at a club I’ve always made it my mission to show why I should be in the team instead of dwelling on it.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Aberdeen.

Me being at Coventry, instead of a big Premier League club, probably helped me develop. You don’t get put in the academy system, playing Under-18s and Under-23s.

Whether Under-17 level, the 21s, or senior team, it’s my dream to play for England as often as I can.

There is no bigger stage than Old Trafford on the opening day of the season.