West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice admits he almost quit for the Championship a year ago.
The England international was taken off at half-time as the Hammers were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool, and did not play again in the league until the 3-1 victory at Everton more than a month later.
"I was in a horrible place flying home," the 20-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "We had been blitzed and I was dragged off at half-time.
"I played badly and was thinking I was not ready for the Premier League. There were a lot of Championship clubs interested in taking me out on loan.
"But the manager said I was not going anywhere and that I would play. I got my chance again at Everton. I took it and I have not looked back.
"If you had said to me then I would have played three times for England, played nearly every game, won man-of-the-match awards and club awards, I would have said no chance.
"I am really happy thinking about it, but I know I have to build on that this season."
