--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At first it was a bit surreal playing in…" description: "\"At first it was a bit surreal playing in the Premier League at 16, coming up against world-class players, because it had always been my dream. But quic..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/jack-rodwell-10362_always_at-first-it-was-a-bit-surreal-playing-in_2374147.jpg" --- # At first it was a bit surreal playing in the Premier… ![“At first it was a bit surreal playing in the Premier League at 16, coming up against world-class players, because it had always been my dream. But quickly, it becomes second nature to you.” quote by Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/jack-rodwell-10362_always_at-first-it-was-a-bit-surreal-playing-in_2374147.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/jack-rodwell-10362_always_at-first-it-was-a-bit-surreal-playing-in_2374147.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34a/jack-rodwell-10362_always_at-first-it-was-a-bit-surreal-playing-in_2374147.jpg) > “At first it was a bit surreal playing in the Premier League at 16, coming up against world-class players, because it had always been my dream. But quickly, it becomes second nature to you.” [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young player describes the surreal feeling of debuting in a top league, then notes it quickly becomes natural. **In simple terms:** Initial awe of elite play fades to normalcy. Key Takeaway Embrace growth; adapt to new levels. Themes sports career growth adaptation Mood proud reflective Type motivational personal When to use this quote - professional debut - training - team dynamics - public pressure Key Concepts performance psychology skill development Questions to Reflect On - How did you handle early pressure? - What habits help maintain performance? A Different Perspective Adjustment requires mental resilience and practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Premier league](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/premier-league/) [Surreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surreal/) ## Related quotes > [When you win a Premier League title it still feels a bit surreal after a couple of weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kasper-schmeichel/when-you-win-a-premier-league-title-it-still-feels-a-bit-surreal/) [Kasper Schmeichel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kasper-schmeichel/) > [We're always aiming for storytelling that feels a bit surreal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hillenburg/we-re-always-aiming-for-storytelling-that-feels-a-bit-surreal/) [Stephen Hillenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hillenburg/) > [When I started experimenting with fantasy and horror films and looking for characters who had some sort of emotional or mental difficulty, I saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/when-i-started-experimenting-with-fantasy-and-horror-films-and/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [I'm not a celebrity, but when I walk into Hobbycraft and someone comes up to me to tell me how great one of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-davies/i-m-not-a-celebrity-but-when-i-walk-into-hobbycraft-and-someone-comes/) [Sara Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-davies/) > [“girl I lost all those years ago is standing right in front of me. It’s a bit surreal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-b-simmons/girl-i-lost-all-those-years-ago-is-standing-right-in-front-of-me-it-s/) [L.B. Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-b-simmons/) > [I still find it a bit surreal that Sir Elton John can call Troy Deeney from Chelmsley. It's quite entertaining but a bit surreal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-deeney/i-still-find-it-a-bit-surreal-that-sir-elton-john-can-call-troy/) [Troy Deeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-deeney/) > [I think all the players dream to get to the AFCON tournament. It is a big tournament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wanyama/i-think-all-the-players-dream-to-get-to-the-afcon-tournament-it-is-a/) [Victor Wanyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wanyama/) > [It is a bit surreal when I'm out and people are having a look or staring or wanting selfies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steph-houghton/it-is-a-bit-surreal-when-i-m-out-and-people-are-having-a-look-or/) [Steph Houghton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steph-houghton/) > [I think all major league players dream of being named MVP.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-altuve/i-think-all-major-league-players-dream-of-being-named-mvp/) [Jose Altuve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-altuve/) > [For some players, it is a dream to play at Madrid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-pellegrini/for-some-players-it-is-a-dream-to-play-at-madrid/) [Manuel Pellegrini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-pellegrini/) > [I cannot wait to pass the ball to the star players, it is a dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedi-osman/i-cannot-wait-to-pass-the-ball-to-the-star-players-it-is-a-dream-come/) [Cedi Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedi-osman/) > [I don't know if we are the best team in the world. I am lucky to be playing alongside some of the best players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zinedine-zidane/i-don-t-know-if-we-are-the-best-team-in-the-world-i-am-lucky-to-be/) [Zinedine Zidane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zinedine-zidane/) > [It can feel a bit surreal. Sometimes you're talking to famous people and you think, 'Oh gosh, I'm talking to Lewis Hamilton.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/it-can-feel-a-bit-surreal-sometimes-you-re-talking-to-famous-people/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [All Brazilian players have this dream. I have, like everybody, the dream to play in Europe and the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar/all-brazilian-players-have-this-dream-i-have-like-everybody-the-dream/) [Oscar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar/) > [When I was a child I had a dream to become a football player. I always played as I played when I was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantona/when-i-was-a-child-i-had-a-dream-to-become-a-football-player-i-always/) [Eric Cantona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantona/) ## More by Jack Rodwell > [Phil Neville has been great in terms of the pointers he has given me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/phil-neville-has-been-great-in-terms-of-the-pointers-he-has-given-me/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [You always want to test yourself at a high level, and I would be proud to represent Great Britain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/you-always-want-to-test-yourself-at-a-high-level-and-i-would-be-proud/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [England Under 16, Under 17, Under 18, I played centre-half. But back then, David Moyes thought it was difficult to throw a 16-year-old in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/england-under-16-under-17-under-18-i-played-centre-half-but-back-then/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [Throughout their career, the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta have all been taught to a play a certain way. English players have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/throughout-their-career-the-likes-of-xavi-and-andres-iniesta-have-all/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've not got a bad word to say about City. If they want you and sign you, then they have got intent for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-not-got-a-bad-word-to-say-about-city-if-they-want-you-and-sign/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I got scouted at six by Everton. My parents said it was maybe a bit too young. A year later, I went down to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-got-scouted-at-six-by-everton-my-parents-said-it-was-maybe-a-bit/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've had my family around me all the time, and that's been a great help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-had-my-family-around-me-all-the-time-and-that-s-been-a-great-help/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I joined Sunderland, a great club, to be successful, to feel at home again. It hasn't worked out, but that's not through lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-joined-sunderland-a-great-club-to-be-successful-to-feel-at-home/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [Any player at City is prepared to play anywhere, and I'm no different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/any-player-at-city-is-prepared-to-play-anywhere-and-i-m-no-different/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [In my first season after Mancini signed me, I was injured a lot, but when I was fit, he did play me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/in-my-first-season-after-mancini-signed-me-i-was-injured-a-lot-but/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-have-been-playing-box-to-box-more-for-everton-as-a-two-so-i-have/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [What I've been missing in my career is 30 back-to-back games and getting a good run of form and confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/what-i-ve-been-missing-in-my-career-is-30-back-to-back-games-and/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I've been at Man City and won the league. I've played for England. I've had success and good times - just not enough for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-ve-been-at-man-city-and-won-the-league-i-ve-played-for-england-i-ve/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [I just want to do the best I can, which means playing for the England full side one day and carry on playing well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/i-just-want-to-do-the-best-i-can-which-means-playing-for-the-england/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) > [When you sign for a new club, you just want to play, and when injury stops you, it is frustrating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-rodwell/when-you-sign-for-a-new-club-you-just-want-to-play-and-when-injury/) [Jack Rodwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) [Explore all 66 Jack Rodwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-rodwell/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At first it was a bit surreal playing in the Premier League at 16, coming up against world-class players, because it had always been my dream. 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