As a holding midfield player, you want movement and to play between the lines.
— Declan Rice
In football, and in life, I have always tried to be completely honest and true to myself and my family at all times, and that is what I will continue to do.
Nothing is given in the Premier League, and it is tough for spots.
If you're not learning, you don't progress.
My family are very happy that I'm playing with Ireland. It's my dad's side, and he's really, really proud. He wants me to play for Ireland, and I'm really happy to play for Ireland.
As I'm growing up, going into holding midfield, I'm watching Busquets quite a lot for Barcelona. The way he controls the game, his reading of it, technically, defensively - everything about him cuts him out above the rest. I'm really enjoying watching him.
Mum and dad are always looking out for me; they just want the best for me.
I thought there was maybe going to be some booing. I didn't know how the fans would take to me. But the reception from the England fans has been top class. They have taken me in.
My pride at wearing the Irish shirt was always 100 per cent genuine. It was a great honour for myself and my family and something I will always cherish.
Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality.
I think it's important that you're vocal during the match, especially at centre-half. You're basically the eyes and ears of the team, and if you don't open your mouth, it's not going to help the team out.
I've got to live up to some legends like Robbie Keane and Liam Brady.
I have a special connection with the fans. It's unbelievable.
You're only out there for 90 minutes, and you have to give it everything you've got. It's a game of football, at the end of the day.
I don't read too much into things and look at social media. It's all a load of crap.
People who troll you want a reaction, and there's no point in doing that. I just try to focus on my football.
Coming to the game, my first time with England at Wembley, it's a special moment.
It's good that I can play in two positions, as a centre-back or as a holding midfielder, as I just want to get minutes and get games.
I was released by Chelsea at 14 years old. I remember it, a Tuesday night. On the Wednesday, I was training with Fulham, five minutes from my house, and then on the Thursday, I was training with West Ham. After one session at both clubs, they both wanted me.
I am not taking for granted a call-up to the England squad or making any assumption about my future international career.
I want to win trophies, even the Champions League. You have to be ambitious.
My nan and granddad are from Cork.
It's crazy to be spoken about like Mascherano. He's won everything: Champions League, La Ligas; he's been at World Cups.
I like Jorginho, the way he plays and passes.
I know that nothing can be taken for granted, and there is still a lot of hard work ahead of me. However, I am looking forward to the challenge of trying to prove to the England manager that I am worthy of a place in his team, and hopefully continuing to progress my career in the right direction.
I have equal respect and love for both England and Ireland, and therefore, the national team I choose to represent is not a clear-cut, simple selection.
If I didn't want to be playing for Ireland, I wouldn't be here.
I'm always composed, calm, and always believe in my own ability, and if I start well, then I end up having a good game, usually.
I'm only 20; you've got your whole career ahead of you. I'm just focused on playing for West Ham and playing with a smile on my face and enjoying it.
Being compared to players, being linked to other teams - I don't really take any of it in, to be honest. If you think about it too much, you get caught up in it.
I'm composed, and I'm a calm player.
I just have to stay focused and play football with a smile on my face.
No one is guaranteed their place in the squad.
Growing up, John Terry was my obvious idol. I based my whole game on him.
Without a doubt, the plan was always to stay at West Ham.
When Chelsea let me go, it was really deflating. For me, as a youngster, it's all I ever knew - living 10 minutes from the training ground, going to loads of the games.
I think it's important that I keep playing international football, whatever level it is.
Mark O'Toole from the FAI has looked after me well back in England to the point that I consider him a father figure.
England have never wanted me at underage level; it's always been Ireland.
There are no guarantees getting into an England squad: there's so many unbelievable players.
I study for myself, my own games and others.
No dream is far away.
I am a proud Englishman, having been born and raised in London. However, I am just as proud of my family's Irish heritage and my affinity and connection with the country.
You've got to test yourself against the best to know you are the best.
It's important to be vocal, and to be fair, I've always had that in me, to be honest. One of the things my dad has always said to me is make sure you're vocal, and before the game, I always get a text off him telling me to do the things well and again, 'Be vocal, Dec.'
I love every minute of being at West Ham.
The crowd are entitled to their opinion, and as players, we have to go out there and play well.
I thought I did well for only being 19 years old on the international scene. I was proud of myself.
I just try to keep level-headed and try to improve every day.
Everyone knows Chadwell Heath; it's historic.
