🤩🔵 Ainsley Maitland-Niles' FIRST interview as an Everton player!

Duration: 4:10 875 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Ainsley Maitland-Niles expresses his immense happiness and relief at finally becoming an Everton player after a long period of anticipation from the club. He emphasizes how welcoming the teammates have been and how much he appreciates the love shown by the fans, noting that wearing the royal blue shirt feels like a dream come true. Having played in various Premier League clubs previously, Maitland-Niles is eager to get cracking immediately and wants to be part of the club's rich history while winning trophies with them. Looking ahead to the next chapter of his career, he aims to become the best version of himself by working hard alongside his teammates to achieve more success. The current exciting atmosphere at Everton, marked by a new stadium and recent summer signings, fuels his belief that the team can do something special if they commit fully. He also feels honored to be managed by David Moyes, a legendary figure in Premier League history, acknowledging Moyes' diligence and reputation as someone who wants him at the club. Maitland-Niles highlights that his primary motivation for joining Everton is the opportunity to compete in England's top league, which he considers one of the best and most competitive places in the world to showcase talent. As a versatile defender capable of playing on both flanks and in midfield, he intends to bring defensive solidity while also contributing through forward runs, assists, and goals. His extensive experience across three of Europe's top five leagues has significantly helped him mature as a person and understand football from different perspectives, giving him a unique insight into the needs of various positions within the squad. Finally, Maitland-Niles confidently asserts that returning to European competition is definitely achievable for Everton this season given the quality and ability of the current squad. He refuses to doubt the team's potential to bring something special to the pitch and looks forward to representing the Toffees with great enthusiasm. His message to the fans is one of excitement and gratitude, as he cannot wait to pull on the shirt and contribute to the club's future success under Moyes' leadership.

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Idrissa, welcome. How's it feel to be an Everton player? >> I'm happy it's finally done and happy to be here and get cracking. >> The club have had a long-standing interest in yourself. It must be good to finally wear that royal blue shirt. >> Yeah, it's been a long time coming and I'm happy to be here like I said and yeah, I'm just very welcoming for the the teammates and that have welcomed me in and and the love from the fans also. >> You've got vast experience in the Premier League through playing at various different clubs. So, you know the size of Everton, our fan base, our history as well. Just how much are you looking forward to playing for this club? >> It's a huge club historically. They've won a lot of stuff and I want to be a part of the history and win something here as well. So, I'm happy to get cracking as soon as possible and show my talents on the pitch. >> And what does it mean for you? Like what are you looking to achieve in this like the next chapter of your career? >> Um just to be the best player I can be to try to win more trophies, to try to become a better player, make my teammates around me better. >> And we're a season into our our new stadium. We've had new signings come in this summer as well. Does it feel like an exciting time to be an Everton player, do you >> Yeah, for sure, for sure. It's like a a new chapter on like you said and um I think it can bring great things, honestly, if we just put our heels down on the floor and really go for it. It could be something special. >> And our manager, David Moyes, is one of the most experienced managers in Premier League history. Have you had many discussions with him yet? >> Um obviously, I've known he's been about for a long time and when I was at other clubs, I've previously played against him. So, I know how he works and how diligent of a manager he is and to have someone like him on my side and wants me at the club, I feel really honored. >> So, what would you say were some of the key factors behind you wanting this move? >> Um to be honest, it's it's England. It's the Premier League. It's one of the best leagues in the world or if not the best, and um it's the most competitive place to play and to show your talent to the world. >> And you played right back for the majority of last season with Lyon. From that position, what do you hope do you can bring to this Everton team? >> Um of course defensive duties first. Trying to stop as many crosses and goals happening. Um the I'd say some forward runs, some assists, some goals hopefully. And um a lot of energy down that right hand side. >> You're also a a versatile player. You can play right back, left back, and across the midfield as well. How much of an asset is that to you cuz that must be something you value and the manager can value as well. >> Yeah, of course. It's it's great and I feel I have more of an understanding about the game as well knowing that I can play in different positions and what they require to do, so I understand what my midfielders need from me, fullbacks, centerbacks, so it's good and then my wingers as well. >> And obviously you've played in England, Italy, and France before. It's quite rare for an English player to have played in three of Europe's top five top five leagues. How have those experiences helped you in your career so far do you think? >> Um I'd say they helped me grow up as a person a lot. Helped me be a better person and understand football in a different perspective. And um just my mindset honestly is completely different from having to adapt to the three different leagues you mentioned. >> Do you think you've matured a lot from those moves then? Do you think you're a stronger person now from that? >> Yeah, for sure. For sure, definitely. >> And Everton last season were targeting European football and as someone who has domestic has won domestic and European titles, is that something you think is achievable for this club this season? Like getting into Europe, do you think that's a a target within reach? >> Yeah, definitely. I'd never ever put us in doubt of of being able to do that. I mean the squad and the players and the ability we have here, we can for sure bring something special this season. >> And lastly for our fans, the Evertonians, what's your message to them? How much are you looking forward to pulling on that shirt and representing the Toffees? >> I can't wait, honestly. It's been a long time coming, and I'm happy to be here now, and here we go, Toffees. Thank you. >> Yes, sir.