“When I came over, there was a lot of criticism that I was too young to...” — Nathan Ake Quote

When I came over, there was a lot of criticism that I was too young to go to England. I just wanted to take that experience and be a better player.

I even got game time in some Europa League matches, some other Premier League matches and managed to make a start in an FA Cup match as well.

I was never really a dog guy, we never had dogs in the house when I was young. But my missus did so we got this dog and I always thought, 'how can you love dogs?' But when I got one, it's one of the best things.

It used to tear me up when we lost games, it stayed in me for weeks. I was a bad loser at everything. When we used to play board games, I had fights with my family and I had to go to my room.

I realised I'd been spoiled at Liverpool. We were used to winning. In Italy I grew up as a person. I didn't enjoy the football, mind. It was very defensive, but I became a better player because of the work I had to do around the box. Off the pitch, I learned about what to eat and what to drink to be successful, and I learned about life.

The most important thing of all is to always want to learn, grow and become a better player.

Going to Stade Francais will not just make me a better player but make me a better player for England.

I think, for me, I'm a player that wants the puck, and I'm a better player when I have it.