Naby Keita Quotes

I like to win the ball back for the team and I can contribute going forward.

I don't want Kylian to play like Neymar and keep the ball. Kylian is incredibly dangerous in the final move, and I want him to stay that way.

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 have to open the game from my position. It's really important to play with the ball.

In the Premier League you need creative players to open games up.

As a striker, people look at the goals you score. But for me, my game is more than just about goals, it is how you link with other players.

Football is about having the best offensive play possible. I always like to play offensive football, and nobody will convince me otherwise.

When you play soccer, most of the time you got to get the ball moving, but once you get into that attacking third you gotta' be creative, you gotta' let your talent take over.

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.

You pressure, you want possession, you want to attack. Some teams can't or don't pass the ball. What are you playing for? What's the point? That's not football. Combine, pass, play. That's football - for me, at least.

I have to stay in front to try and create chances and be in the right place in the box.

On a tactical level the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3 formation is just about the most demanding position there is.

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

I started in a 4-3-3 formation at Ajax, playing in left midfield. There, you need to be just as involved defensively as you are going forward. You attack and you defend, and that allows you to be a complete player.

If I have the ball in my hands, I'll make a play. If don't, I'll try to get in position to make a play. I think that's what it comes down to.

I've always said it, and the whole football world knows that Cavani is a centre-forward and that he has proven his worth in that position. Having said that, Cavani has shown other characteristics that can help the team, like winning the ball back, helping out defensively.

Penalties are easy if you score, but in open play, we create chances as well.

Positional play is good for training, but in games, to win matches, you need someone who can go past defenders and take chances.

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

I'd say my main quality is keeping the ball and my passing.

Firstly, I am somebody who plays in a defensive role, and we need to start with that, but then I need to bring the ball forward and help the attack.

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

Anytime you get good service to the box, it's always great as an attacking player because it gives you more opportunities to score.

When you are a striker, you need to give a lot of effort for the team, to keep the opponent under pressure, to press them, to win the ball fast - that's what I try to do to help the team. After that, I try to make some goals.