Edgar Davids

“I played street soccer; that's where I started. If you look at South America, that's why they have technical players.”

“Visually, my trademarks have always been my glasses and hair.”

“I've never had a big dream to be a manager, but I'm a curious guy, and I want to see if I like it.”

“That is life: you have to deal with things, and it's up to you how you deal with things. That's what makes you mature or not. If you can get the best out of yourself, that's all that matters. If you do that, nobody is arguing.”

“You see, in the fashion industry, everybody either knows each other or is linked to one another. If you're not part of their inner circle, things can be hard.”

“You can get racially abused 10 times before you even reach the football stadium. If you've been confronted every day with something like that, it's hard. This is not about people playing the 'race card.' This is a reality that people like to sweep under the carpet.”

“People don't see the determination behind getting on the pitch every week.”

“Conte is a good coach, but I would steal his place on the bench.”

“I have my own brand called Monta, including a specially designed street soccer ball made out of a denim material which fades like your old jeans when used.”

“I started in a 4-3-3 formation at Ajax, playing in left midfield. There, you need to be just as involved defensively as you are going forward. You attack and you defend, and that allows you to be a complete player.”

“It is important to have tough and strong players to win back the ball and give consistency to a team.”

“It's obviously important for the English national team if you have a lot of players playing big matches. You are more mature and know how to cope.”

“I know him very well, but I think Alessandro Del Piero knows himself the best, better than everyone else, so only he can answer the question if he needs to stop or needs to play. It's his own decision.”

“When you change team, and you have the right mindset and a coach who respects you, everything becomes easier.”

“You don't want to play one year in the Champions' League and go out. You don't then establish yourself as a big club.”

“I'm just straightforward.”

“Everyone wants to play in the Champions' League because that's where it is all happening. That's where you get the A-status for players. It's very important for young players.”

“I'd love to see Balotelli at Juventus. I think he can become the best.”

“Everyone has an affection for the club where you played in your youth; that's normal. But loyalty to it? Loyalty is staying at the club. Affection is different. The important thing is that when you're there, you give it your all, respect the rules and respect the club, and try to be the best you can be. That's fair enough.”

“When you have too many stars, you have too many egos to manage, and it's difficult.”