Academy talent

I think what you have to understand is that no club is a development club – we’re here to win and to be competitive, so we have to pick the team that gives us the best chance of winning.

The Academy is an incredibly important part of our Club, and we want to try and structure our squad so that opportunities can come up if the players are ready to take them.

We have to make sure we make the right decisions, and that we’re strategically aligned together. It’s about using the resources we have as best as possible to get the best possible results.

 

Working in the transfer window

We have the same challenges as pretty much every other team in terms of having to balance PSR with trying to improve the team.

The team’s been invested in over a period of time, and we’ve got a good group who we’re excited to be working with. But, we’ll keep working until the end of the window.

 

Plenty of potential

I think the potential of this Club is huge. The ambition should be huge, because it’s a massive Club. We’ve got a great fanbase, history and tradition – everything a demanding, big Club has.

Our challenge is to use the resources we have and to be aligned and together, to be able to put a team out on the pitch that our supporters can recognise and be proud of. That’s what’s really exciting when you’re about to head into a new season, as we are now.

We just need to not think too far ahead. It’s about the next game, the next training session, doing the best we can and always looking to get better. Really, if we can get everyone aligned, anything can happen.

I think that if everything is pulling in the same direction, you make steady improvements and then you can overachieve and do special things. At the same time, you have to remain humble and keep working hard.

 

Stopping Sunderland

I did watch it (the Sunderland ‘Til I Die documentary on Netflix), a few years ago. I know first-hand how difficult it is when you get relegated from the Premier League, from my time at Swansea, and all about the challenges clubs face if things don’t go well and expectations aren’t met.

But now, Sunderland are back in the Premier League, and I’m sure they’ll bring plenty of excitement and positivity to the game on Saturday.

They’ve brought in a number of good players. He (Granit Xhaka) is a top player for sure, who brings great experience, great quality and great leadership. I’m sure all of that will really help their team.

We have to focus on ourselves though, and on how we can play and get what we need out of the game. We need to make sure we’re ready, and I’m confident we will be.

Â