--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a youngster as I was a centre-half, I…" description: "\"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 p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac4/ross-barkley-6496_back_as-a-youngster-as-i-was-a-centre-half-i_2926868.jpg" --- # As a youngster as I was a centre-half, I liked being on… ![“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.” quote by Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac4/ross-barkley-6496_back_as-a-youngster-as-i-was-a-centre-half-i_2926868.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac4/ross-barkley-6496_back_as-a-youngster-as-i-was-a-centre-half-i_2926868.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac4/ross-barkley-6496_back_as-a-youngster-as-i-was-a-centre-half-i_2926868.jpg) > “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.” [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He describes how early positional flexibility helped him develop a versatile playing style, adapting to team needs and personal growth. **In simple terms:** Playing many positions builds adaptability. Key Takeaway Embrace flexibility in roles. Themes adaptability growth teamwork Mood motivated reflective Type sports personal development When to use this quote - football training - career development - tactical adjustments Key Concepts positional play skill development Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance versatility with mastery? - When should you specialize? A Different Perspective Versatility may dilute specialization if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) ## Related quotes > [I was the kid who always liked to take the ball down to the school even in my free time, kick it against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandi-chastain/i-was-the-kid-who-always-liked-to-take-the-ball-down-to-the-school/) [Brandi Chastain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandi-chastain/) > [It is nice to be playing, being on the pitch, and contributing to the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-henderson/it-is-nice-to-be-playing-being-on-the-pitch-and-contributing-to-the/) [Jordan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-henderson/) > [Whenever you're playing on the pitch, you have to step up to the plate and perform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/whenever-you-re-playing-on-the-pitch-you-have-to-step-up-to-the-plate/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) > [Playing further up the pitch, you have more opportunities to score and provide assists, and it's something I liked right from the start.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesco-totti/playing-further-up-the-pitch-you-have-more-opportunities-to-score-and/) [Francesco Totti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesco-totti/) > [When you get your chance, you just have to be ready and believe that chances will come, that you are going to step forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/when-you-get-your-chance-you-just-have-to-be-ready-and-believe-that/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [Over the long term, it is definitely my ambition to play in the midfield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emre-can/over-the-long-term-it-is-definitely-my-ambition-to-play-in-the/) [Emre Can](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emre-can/) > [At Newcastle, I was playing in the No 10 position but also in midfield as a left winger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georginio-wijnaldum/at-newcastle-i-was-playing-in-the-no-10-position-but-also-in-midfield/) [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georginio-wijnaldum/) > [In midfield, you are everywhere, you are part of everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodri/in-midfield-you-are-everywhere-you-are-part-of-everything/) [Rodri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodri/) > [Playing in the midfield, you have to be mentally quick and be intelligent in how you position yourself and get the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-partey/playing-in-the-midfield-you-have-to-be-mentally-quick-and-be/) [Thomas Partey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-partey/) > [I've stepped into midfield and I'm enjoying that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-white/i-ve-stepped-into-midfield-and-i-m-enjoying-that/) [Ben White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-white/) > [At Rennes, I played more down the left wing, but also down the right and sometimes in midfield. At Dortmund, it was the same:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ousmane-dembele/at-rennes-i-played-more-down-the-left-wing-but-also-down-the-right/) [Ousmane Dembele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ousmane-dembele/) > [Yeah, people did say I play like Vieira. I like going forward from midfield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-wanyama/yeah-people-did-say-i-play-like-vieira-i-like-going-forward-from/) [Victor Wanyama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-wanyama/) > [Normally when you look at the Ballon d'Or winners, they're either attacking midfield players or centre-forwards. They are goalscorers and eye-catching players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/normally-when-you-look-at-the-ballon-d-or-winners-they-re-either/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [If you have a good midfield, you have a good team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casemiro/if-you-have-a-good-midfield-you-have-a-good-team/) [Casemiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casemiro/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/sometimes-in-midfield-it-s-nice-because-you-do-get-a-little-bit-more/) [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/) ## More by Ross Barkley > [I believe in myself and I know what I can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/i-believe-in-myself-and-i-know-what-i-can-do/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [On derby day it's not down to form, it's on the day, who's prepared for the game and who wants to battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/on-derby-day-it-s-not-down-to-form-it-s-on-the-day-who-s-prepared-for/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [It's all about success, winning trophies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/it-s-all-about-success-winning-trophies/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [To be given a fresh start at a new club like Chelsea, it's unbelievable for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/to-be-given-a-fresh-start-at-a-new-club-like-chelsea-it-s/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [I've added a bit more composure on the ball and defensively got a bit cuter and improved in one-on-ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/i-ve-added-a-bit-more-composure-on-the-ball-and-defensively-got-a-bit/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [Each individual has their own pre-match ritual and pick off the menu. But I usually have a bit of pesto - either spaghetti or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/each-individual-has-their-own-pre-match-ritual-and-pick-off-the-menu/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [Some players are more fortunate than others to have coaches who are more focused on improvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/some-players-are-more-fortunate-than-others-to-have-coaches-who-are/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [I have got a lot of confidence in my ability now, and I feel like I am going in the right direction and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/i-have-got-a-lot-of-confidence-in-my-ability-now-and-i-feel-like-i-am/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [The Premier League's the most competitive in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/the-premier-league-s-the-most-competitive-in-the-world/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [We are not in the game to accept where we are at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/we-are-not-in-the-game-to-accept-where-we-are-at/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [When you get your chance, you just have to be ready and believe that chances will come, that you are going to step forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/when-you-get-your-chance-you-just-have-to-be-ready-and-believe-that/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [Everybody develops at different rates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/everybody-develops-at-different-rates/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [You can always be more professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/you-can-always-be-more-professional/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [You've seen players at Everton who have been built up but haven't made the grade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/you-ve-seen-players-at-everton-who-have-been-built-up-but-haven-t/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [I'm not scared when I'm on the pitch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/i-m-not-scared-when-i-m-on-the-pitch/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) [Explore all 99 Ross Barkley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) ## More Back quotes > [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 honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [Drumming's pretty physical. We sit at the back of the stage getting beat up like a workhorse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee/drumming-s-pretty-physical-we-sit-at-the-back-of-the-stage-getting/) [Tommy Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee/) > [I never want to look back on any moment and say I could have done more. So I go all in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-haze/i-never-want-to-look-back-on-any-moment-and-say-i-could-have-done/) [Scott Haze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-haze/) > [I wish that I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product. Then I probably wouldn't have found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/i-wish-that-i-had-known-back-then-that-a-mastery-of-process-would/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [It's what the people wanted at the time, but the country could not be half-segregated and half-integrated, just as it could not be half-slave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wallace/it-s-what-the-people-wanted-at-the-time-but-the-country-could-not-be/) [George Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wallace/) > [I've always stuck my arms behind my back anyway when trying to block a shot in the penalty area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millie-bright/i-ve-always-stuck-my-arms-behind-my-back-anyway-when-trying-to-block/) [Millie Bright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millie-bright/) > [I'm sure at some point I will get back into coaching, but right now I need to focus completely on my kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/i-m-sure-at-some-point-i-will-get-back-into-coaching-but-right-now-i/) [Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/) > [Any time someone achieves success before they've earned it, it always comes back to haunt them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-white/any-time-someone-achieves-success-before-they-ve-earned-it-it-always/) [Ron White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-white/) > [In Congress, Florida Republicans worked with the Trump administration to secure funding for coastal restoration projects following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Irma and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/in-congress-florida-republicans-worked-with-the-trump-administration/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Back in the really olden days, dinner was seldom a ceremonial event for U.S. families. Only the very wealthy had a separate dining room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/back-in-the-really-olden-days-dinner-was-seldom-a-ceremonial-event/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) > [We're all painfully aware of how suddenly violence can occur, how crippling it is, and how survivors have to find a way back from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/we-re-all-painfully-aware-of-how-suddenly-violence-can-occur-how/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [Ronaldo is just an athlete. He works so hard and back to back; he is always there. But if you work hard, can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-davids/ronaldo-is-just-an-athlete-he-works-so-hard-and-back-to-back-he-is/) [Edgar Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-davids/) > [I do spend a lot of weekends on the road. I have to pace myself. It can be pretty busy, but I'm not out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-sinise/i-do-spend-a-lot-of-weekends-on-the-road-i-have-to-pace-myself-it-can/) [Gary Sinise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-sinise/) > [British Forces should be in a position to give back in a ten fold measure any attack that the Germans may attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-banting/british-forces-should-be-in-a-position-to-give-back-in-a-ten-fold/) [Frederick Banting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-banting/) Browse all 9,709 Back quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a youngster as I was a centre-half, I liked being on the ball and coming out from the back. 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