There's a determination in Anis Mehmeti's voice and a steely look in his eyes when he talks about his career so far and his future goals.
This week, the 22-year-old made his international debut for Albania, coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute around three years after Covid ended the season early while playing for Woodford Town in the Essex Senior League.
Mehmeti's journey to Bristol City has been arduous. Upon signing for Bristol City on transfer deadline day, former manager Gareth Ainsworth spoke of how his challenging upbringing helped shape him into the player and person he is today.
Reported by Bucks Free Press, the now-QPR boss said: "Away from football, Anis is a boy who has not had it easy. His parents are Albanian, they came over to England, he was born here and he played in the cages across London.
"He was released here, there, and everywhere, and I'm sure that he didn’t live in the fanciest of houses in London, so this move is a massive success for Anis.
“He told me that he ‘wanted to look after his family’ and that is brilliant to hear. He’s humble, a hard worker and his performances are down to his determination to improve, as I really do believe he will play in the Premier League one day."
Mehmeti was part of the Fulham, Tottenham and Norwich academies before dropping into the conference. His grit and hard work saw Ainsworth sign him for Wycombe in 2020 as part of their 'B' side in the Championship but it took just a month before he was playing regularly in the second tier, his first breakthrough in the professional game.
He hasn't looked back since and judging by his ambition and confidence, his move to City is another step closer to achieving his Premier League dream. "I'm the type of guy that always expects more for myself. Every single day I'm always trying to better myself," he said ahead of Saturday's test with Reading.
"(My drive) has been from the beginning really. I've come from a family with a strong belief with a big drive and they want me to do so well. So I think I take that into myself every day and it drives me to want to be the best because they put so much time into me and chasing me and going everywhere for me to chase my dream.
"So I think it's just repaying them, that relentlessness of every day wanting to improve. It's human nature naturally, you always want more. As a kid there are no stresses, you don't have to do anything but enjoy your football.
"I want to play, I want to play at the highest level and I'm confident I will achieve that in the near future but as of now, you have to look at every day trying to improve on the pitch.
"Being in an academy in your whole life, you think non-league is the bottom of the barrel. You don't want to go there but I found myself there and it did me well. Obviously, the physicality and there are little things you learn in the league.
"For example picking up second balls which in academy set up you don't get taught that, in the men's game, they're the important things - winning your duels so for sure it did help me get to where I am now."
Mehmeti's arrival in BS3 was greeted as one of the transfer coups of the January window across the EFL. He was also the maverick Nigel Pearson was after having scored nine and assisted three for the Chairboys this season before his move.
He's a player that gets supporters on their seats, capable of a moment of magic that supporters have seen glimpses of but that first goal has proved elusive. Mehmeti's aware that coming to a new club and new environment can take time to adapt but he ensures it won't be long before he's playing to his maximum ability.
"The lads have made me feel at home from the first week but as time has gone on I've moved here and now I feel ready. I was ready obviously a few weeks ago but now I'm more settled and ready to focus on my football," he added.
"Sometimes it takes a while to get used to and adapt but I said when I arrived I want to get straight into it without sounding too confident but I back myself to come in straightaway and not look out of place.
"I think I have done that, but there's also so much room for improvement. There's still more to come, especially with me and Scotty, and the other lads. It's getting used to the players, it's a big adaption from obviously where I was to now.
"I'm just as happy assisting as I am scoring but I'm hungry for my first. I'm a player that scores goals and gets assists.
"My start here in terms of stats hasn't been the greatest but I'm not worried because I know if I get myself in the right positions I will be scoring."
Mehmeti has long-term goals to play at the highest level. There's little doubt by those who have watched him regularly that he is destined for the Premier League. But in the short term, he's still learning different ways to adapt his game having spent the last 18 months playing in League One.
When asked to elaborate on those areas of his game he would like to improve, he said: "Mixing up my game, knowing when to combine and when to get past players in a one vs one.
"Attacking crosses can get better and also my finishing from my crosses. Here at City, we get balls down the line like to flash crosses and that's where some of my goals are going to come whereas at Wycombe it was more flick-ons and mistakes and drop-downs. It's still adapting to the City way and studying ways to get myself to score as many goals as I can.
"I think I've hit the ground running but I've got so much more to offer and for them to see. The fans have been brilliant since I've come in and I feel like I've got way more to show them."
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