Ten years ago, the name John Bostock was on everyone’s lips, as the midfielder made his first appearance for Tottenham’s first-team following his move from Crystal Palace.
However, with the likes of Luka Modric, Rafael Van der Vaart, Wilson Palacios, Jermaine Jenas and Tom Huddlestone all already at the club, his pathway to stardom was blocked by more experienced players.
In the end, the starlet never managed to break through, and the ensuing years ended up being a series of loans, followed by an exit to Belgium’s second division with Royal Antwerp.
Now back in one of the top five leagues in the world at Toulouse in Ligue 1, the 26-year-old is back where he feels he belongs.
In an interview with beIN Sports, Bostock opened up about his Tottenham exit and his career since, and, by the sound of things, he doesn’t regret his decision one bit.
He said: “The real turning point for me was when I was released from Spurs. I almost saw it as the chains being taken off and the chance to start again from ground zero. Going from Spurs to the second division in Belgium looks like a huge step down, but it’s one I needed to take.”
After spells with Antwerp and OH Leuven, Bostock moved to Lens in Ligue 2, where he ended up being voted the league’s best player in his first season there.
The midfielder sees his path as one many other English youngsters should take, as it gave him opportunities he would have never had had he stayed in London or dropped down to the lower leagues permanently.
He continued: “I fell victim to it when I was younger, you just see the football bubble of England, and there’s no denying it’s probably the best place in the world to play football. It’s a league that’s supported and watched all over the world.
“But, there’s such a small number of players who can play there. I think that coming out of that comfort zone, it causes you to examine yourself. What is it you want from football? What is it you want from life? Am I ready to make the sacrifice and pay the price to get there?”
The Toulouse midfielder did warn players doing so would be hard, but he made it clear that ‘there is a reward there’.
As for his dream, that hasn’t changed.
Wearing the England shirt remains an objective, and if he continues to help Toulouse in the way he has done so far this year, who knows what can happen, especially if Gareth Southgate continues to give players opportunities.
