Dan Crowley insists he could still become one of the best number 10s in the world, despite Arsenal selling him to Dutch club Willem II last year.

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph this week, Crowley showed that he’s still very confident in his own abilities, and says he wouldn’t have gone through everything he has if he didn’t believe he could be among the world’s best one day.

“I have always known how good I was,” he said. “Imagine not fulfilling your potential and living the rest of your life with that, I just couldn’t do it. If I wasn’t as good as I think I am, I think I would have given up. Just because of living away and the s*** I have been through and the constant battles with coaches.

“Why should I stop because of other people? I would only be letting myself down. I think I could be one of the best number 10s in the world.”

The midfielder insists it’s not about chasing a big wage bill, he just wants to be playing football at the highest level he can. That desire to be playing matches even led to him going out on loan to the Dutch second division last campaign, just to get back on the pitch regularly.

“I have got enough money, football is what makes me happy,” he continued. “Sitting on the bench drives me crazy. I can’t do it.

“That was the only way I was going out on loan. It’s not where I want to be and I knew I was better than that league (the Dutch second tier), but that is where I was. The only reason I was there was myself and the only person who could change that was me.”

In that brief loan spell, Crowley scored four goals and assisted eight, and now Willem II have him as a nailed-on starter in the Eredivisie this season. That’s a good first step, and the three goals and six assists he has this campaign are great too, but he needs to keep pushing forward if he wants to have any chance of achieving his goals.