7 Things I Learned From an English Premier League Professional

The English Premier League is one of the most electric soccer leagues in the world.

With its beautifully constructed stadiums holding the thousands of passionate supporters who give their lives to their football club, it's no wonder it's like no other league on the globe.

On TV and social media, it looks glamorous, dazzling, almost easy.

You often here people mention how 'nice it must be.'

'Wow, these guys get millions of dollars to play soccer every day? What a life.'

But these are typically the people who have never competed at a level high enough that required half as much grit, determination, discipline, and work, as someone who competes in the English Premier League.

I was lucky enough to sit down and converse with a current English Premier League Soccer

Player who’s been in the league for over 15 years, and pick his mind about his day-to-day life, his story leading to playing in the English Premier League, and some things he thinks it took to get there, and stay there.

Here are the 7 things I learned after chatting with an English Premier League soccer player.

1) Work Twice as Hard as You Think You Should

This line stuck out for me from our entire conversation.

Many young players can’t comprehend the work and discipline it actually takes to play at the highest of levels in football.

On the field, it comes down to working on your craft every single day, both with your team, as well as by yourself. From your skills on the ball, to your tactical awareness and soccer IQ, to your will to win and compete, to your fitness, conditioning, speed and agility, it's no wonder a fraction make it to this level.

Off the field also plays a significant factor in separating the 'good' from the

'great.'

It’s taking care of your body through strength training, nutrition, mental and psychological

training, sleep and proper recovery methods, and performance analysis.

If you have to question yourself whether you're working hard enough, the chances are, you're not.

Take a second to sit down and really think about what you're doing.

2) Every Moment Matters

They had a session earlier in the day, and this English Premier League soccer player described an incident that occurred during the practice.

A younger player was going through the motions, taking reps and the exercise for

granted.

After 3 or 4 poorly performed reps, this professional clarified with the player and team how taking moments off wasn't good enough.

In this league you can’t take reps, exercises, sessions, or even moments for granted.

Every single action matters, and performing each to the very best of your ability is crucial.

Remembering that people's livelihoods are on the line each and every day.

Not just your's, but your teammates, the coaches, the physiotherapists, the cooks, the match

day staff, the non-match day staff, the social media professionals; all are competing for their

lives.

Taking a session or game for granted could cost you the ultimate price of losing matches and getting left behind as a player, team, and club.

3) Treat Every Day like a Competition

Competing each and every day is vital to becoming an elite soccer player.

You must compete in training against your teammates, on match day against the opposition,

and within yourself each and every day.

You cannot fear competition.

The players in an English Premier League side can’t be content with losing games, whether in training or match day.

And when they lose, they use these feelings to ignite a positive reaction and work twice as hard to ensure they don’t lose the next competition.

4) Show Up 7 Days Per Week

To give yourself a chance in elite football, you must show up 7 days per week.

You must approach each and every day with an intent to improve and take a step in the

direction you want your career to go.

The English Premier League soccer player I spoke to reiterated this several times during our

conversation.

You must consciously prepare every day. Nutrition, mobility, psychology.

You must train aggressively every day. Skill development, soccer IQ, conditioning.

You must compete every day. Win your duels, be a great teammate, work hard.

There’s no such thing as an day off to become an elite soccer player, physically or mentally.

5) Sacrifice Isn’t an Option

When you see the dazzling lights on Saturday Night Football in the English Premier League on TV, you forget the sacrifices these players made to get to where they are, and the sacrifices they make every single day.

This English Premier League soccer player is a dad, husband, and friend to many, who live in

another part of the world, and he’s not the only one.

Many of these professionals live across the globe from their home where they grew up.

Many had to leave their family behind at young ages, to travel across the world to pursue their dream and provide for their family.

In addition to that, you have to sacrifice events such as social gatherings, family events, foods and drinks, and late nights.

Are you willing to move away from your friends and family for months on end to pursue your

dream?

6) Speak Through Action

Actions speak louder than words, and that couldn’t be truer in the game of soccer. To play as an English Premier League soccer player, you must be a leader through the actions you take.

Show up early to training every day to prepare, train with intent, stay after training to work on your skills, and do all the things necessary off the field to stay sharp.

The more you do this, the more it will inspire those around you to do the same for themselves and for the team.

7) Habits Outweigh Goals

As a youth soccer player, or as an elite English Premier League soccer player, the importance of details always outweighs the outcomes.

Yes, set your short- and long-term goals as a young footballer.

But it’s the habitual actions on a day-to-day basis that will make the difference.

Sleeping 8 hours.

Eating 4-6 well-balanced meals.

Strengthening & stretching.

Watching & analyzing game film.

It's easy to do this for a couple days at a time, but can you perform these essentials habits for years on end?

If you don’t intend to instill daily positive habits that support your goals, there’s no sense in

setting these goals.

Focus your attention on correcting the details and drilling these into your daily routine.