Words matter. These are the best Patrick van Aanholt Quotes, and they’re great for sharing with your friends.
I did not enjoy David Moyes’ training sessions. Eventually I lost my love for the game and went into the dressing-room feeling annoyed every day.
I was 16 and went straight into the reserves. I had to adapt to the language, adapt to a new country, adapt to a style of play, all with new team-mates. All those kind of things were in my head and it was very hard.
A win against the champions is always special.
Ideally, you want to play games, and you don’t want to train every day without the matches.
If you don’t have ambitions then you’re not a football player.
I’ve always played left-back and I’m an established defender so that is the focus for me in games.
I want my children to have a normal life and not face racism and their children’s children.
It feels fantastic to score my first goal.
I can defend and attack – I am capable of everything.
I didn’t want to play in the reserves. It was the wrong attitude. I could have trained for myself, so when I got the chance I was ready. I didn’t do that. I was just training and going home. That was just a waste of time. That’s why Wigan is a closed book.
I have been at Chelsea for a lot of years. I have played in the Premier League, the Champions League, it is a kid’s dream to play for Chelsea. I have moved on, who knows I might one day go back to Chelsea.
I like to go forward, that is my strength.
I could have stayed at Chelsea, signed a new contract, but I chose to go different ways.
I saw Ashley train every day and I said, ‘This is what I want but better.’ That was my motivation. He taught me the game, how to play nicely and sometimes dirty, all those kind of things. But I didn’t become Ashley Cole. I’m Patrick van Aanholt.
My family lives in London and my kids go to school in London.
When Sunderland turned down an offer for me from Crystal Palace I went to see Moyes in his office three or four times. I was angry. I told him: ‘Accept Palace’s bid and just let me leave – it is the best thing for all concerned.’ But he said that he wanted to keep hold of me.
Why is racism still a conversation in 2020? We are all one. It hurts me. It upsets me.
It is always good to be linked with big clubs like Juventus. It is a sign that I am in a good way.
But I think I made the right move to leave Chelsea behind. They kept sending me on loan to get more experience.
My mum and dad were very strict with me and I am grateful for that because all I wanted to do was play football and I didn’t want to go to school.
Yeah, I always want to play against the best.
As you grow up you realize more how important the fans are and that without the fans we are basically nothing.
I moved to England at a young age so it was different, unlike other Dutch players as I had to get used to a different culture.
Everyone can criticize me. I don’t listen to them.
Of course every player has to accept criticism and it has happened to me. But you have got to get back up.
Sunderland is like a family and I’m very happy to be part of it.
I’m a defender and that’s what I will always look to do first. If you do that right then the other things will be easier, but my job is to defend and that’s what I’ll focus on more than anything.
We all want to make a step higher up. I think I’ve got it in me to play at that level. I played a few games at Chelsea and showed it. That’s just having confidence in yourself.
I wanted to find a club where I can stay a couple of years and try to do well.
I am not even worried about the critics.