Jason Knight harbours the highest of ambitions in the game, whether playing in the Premier League or being the main man in midfield with a team built around him.
But for now, the genial 21-year-old Dubliner is happy to take on each challenge as it presents itself, whether that involves a move away from Derby County ahead of the new season, or playing in Ireland's upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The conclusion of a turbulent season at club level, which ended up with relegation from the Championship to League One, means Knight can now enjoy the next few weeks among friends, safe in the sanctuary of international football back home.
A club in the headlines for the entire season, Derby County were on the brink of extinction, docked 21 points and eventually ran out of time, finishing seven points from safety and duly relegated.
Throughout the trauma, Knight was thankful that he was able to focus on the football, while he knew the people who were really suffering were the residents of the city and the club’s supporters.
And his own performances were among the few shining lights all season, which is one of the main reasons that he is now deemed a man on the move as his club slide into the third tier of English football.
"I’ve still got another year at Derby so at the moment I’m still there," said Knight, when asked where he would be next season.
"Obviously, everyone knows it’s been a tough year with things behind the scenes at Derby. I’ve played my part, I’ve played a lot of games so I was happy with that aspect but what the future holds I don’t know.
"It’s been difficult, I think more so for the fans and the people around the city. For us as players all we could focus on was the playing aspect of it and the people higher up needed to sort that out.
"I think we’ve come together a lot as a group of players and staff and as a club, and I think there’s been positives to take out of the season.
"I know it didn’t end up the way we wanted it to or anyone wanted it to, but there’s always positives and I’m looking forward to next season."
Happy with his contribution, but such is his personality, Knight (above) is convinced that he could have and should have done better with certain aspects of his game.
A bit too self critical perhaps, but a sign of a player who wants to continually improve and learn from every situation and from the experienced people around him.
None more so than Derby manager, Wayne Rooney, who was in constant communication with the young Ireland prospect throughout the difficult campaign.
"His grit and determination," said Knight, when asked what were Rooney’s best attributes. "The situation that's gone on, he has been a real calm head, in a real tough situation.
"He showed a lot of calm in tough moments and that was reflected in the squad and some performances. I think I picked up a lot of things, he showed a real good character this year.
"Throughout the season we always have regular chats and conversations, about how I can improve and stuff like that. We both know I done well but I could have done better, in a lot of aspects, I could have scored more goals, more assists.
"That's something I need to do, to get that tally up, that's what we are working at, not only at the club but here as well."
Knight has played in a range of different positions for both club and country, whether in advanced or defensive midfield roles or even out wide on the right flank on occasion.
"I don't know, that's a hard question to answer," he said, when asked about his preferred position. "I'd have to think about it and see what's best for me, what's going to help develop me in the long run, to develop best as an individual."
Knight has already played at a very high level on the international scene and remains hopeful that he will also reach the top at club level.
"Whenever I step out there, I always mix it with anyone. If that offer comes in, it's something you have always dreamt of, playing in the Premier League, at the highest level, but at the moment I am still a Derby player and that's something I need to try and get towards.
"Ask any player if they want to be the main man," added Knight when asked would he like to play at a club where the team was built around him. "But I am happy just to play my part and I need to develop, I am only 21, I have a lot of dues to pay, I need to keep doing my best for club and country."
The self-assessment and desire to learn and improve will continue throughout this extended international window with four games in quick succession, and Knight expects the answers to come from within.
"I don't know," said Knight, when asked if he was perhaps still a touch cautious in games.
"It can be a mixture of things, positioning, I don't know, but it's something I need to work on, on the training ground, it's not someone else's responsibility to show me that, it's something I can improve."
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