At the World Cup, it's the very top level. It's going to be tougher.
— Gareth Barry
The pressures on younger players now are greater. You've just got to be on your toes all the time with social media and stuff. Now you just go to fill your car up, and there will be somebody wanting to film you trying to do something silly like that.
When you play a lot of games in a row, and you come off the pitch thinking, 'I can't do this no more,' then it is time to look at something else, whether you have six months left on your contract or four years.
The main reason I have joined Everton is not to try to help my England ambitions - that will come if I am playing consistently well for Everton.
When somebody mentioned yoga for the first time, I just looked at it and thought, 'This isn't for me; it's for an older woman down at the health club trying to get supple.' But I thought, 'No, I can see the benefits there. I've got to embrace it.'
Most people would snap your arm off to do what I've done, but for me to be able to say my career was successful, I need to have some trophies and some medals in my cabinet when I finish.
I have a massive fear of going stale and falling into a comfort zone.
The way you adapt and play against different teams and different styles is going to be important.
I'm not one to plan, but I'm always positive about things.
Playing away is always tough in the Champions League.
You only have to look at the England squad to see the amount of players who get in the squad and start the games - the majority play in the Champions League.
When somebody tells you they don't think you're good enough here, your face doesn't fit, you don't just roll over; you've got to back yourself.
Nobody likes to lose 3-0.
I've got three brothers and two sisters. Dad was a plumber who worked really hard to support six children, and Mum was busy at home. The four brothers shared a room, a bunk bed on each side. It wasn't luxurious.
Everyone's expecting you to be playing fantastic football, winning every game, and course it doesn't happen like that.
It's nice hearing your team-mates wanting you to stay.
Any great club needs the mentality to go on and achieve things - it is what clubs like United have.
That's one thing that's been aimed at me since I was 17: a lack of pace.
For a young player, it's important to have people around you other than yourself. You're immature as an 18- or 19-year-old.
You don't see too many attacking flair players continuing until their mid-30s at a high level.
My head has just been all about wanting to play regular football in the Premier League.
I was 32 when I signed for Everton, and Roberto Martinez said, 'With your style of game, you can play until you're 40.' I'm sitting there laughing at him, but he was deadly serious. I still laughed.
I've been in the Premier League for 10 years, more, and the money I've been paid is phenomenal compared to your average, everyday working man.
Reports you read in the paper, you never know how true they are.
After Euro 2008, football in England was shattered for a bit, and people were losing interest in following England.
Anything you're not in control of you can't be that comfortable with.
I've got massive respect for Arsene Wenger for what he's done for the English game, and it would have been good to work under him, but that didn't happen.
David Silva at Man City was my favourite player to play with; we had a good understanding on the pitch.
It's a fantastic life I've been living - let's keep it going.
You play the game to win things, and if you asked me whether I would want to finish in the top four or win the FA Cup, it'd be FA Cup every time.
My upbringing wasn't overly comfortable.
When you're told you're going to miss out, initially, that first hour after the manager's named the team, you're really disappointed. You can't imagine anything worse. But you can't show that. You've got to go out there and support the lads.
All I can do is give 100% for the club. That is all the fans will want to see anyway.
I made my mind up that I want to continue playing as long as I can.
If you go into a shopping centre, there are phones and cameras everywhere, and if you're doing the wrong thing, ultimately you're going to get found out. So it's important you're living your life right, and that's hard for a young player.
Everton Football Club is more important than the individual.
Defensive midfield can be the one position that's easier to play as you get older.
One of my strengths is focusing on football, and even in the summer, I try not to switch off too much.
Sometimes you want to experience life, but ultimately, you've got to make sacrifices and choose the right road.
I feel at Manchester City I will get the chance to play regularly in my best position and play a big part in a successful side.
It has felt like the World Cup was never going to come for me.
You learn from being out of the team, but it makes you desperate for another chance, and when it comes along, you just have to grab it. Don't let go.
I'm delighted to be joining City. It didn't take much persuasion from Mark Hughes; they are heading in the direction I want to go. There is great potential here.
I have had four great years at Everton. The fans have been brilliant with me from the day I signed until the day I left. I am proud that the club will always be a big part of my career.
Steven Gerrard - at his peak, he was outstanding both attacking and defensively.
No one has said, 'What are you doing still playing?' Everyone said, 'Play as long as possible.' You stop when you stop enjoying it, and I'll know when I've had enough and can't keep up with the boys.
Confidence and momentum are huge in sport.
British managers tend to be a bit more hands off, let you express yourself in training.
I obviously think I should always be picked. Every player thinks he's good enough to be playing every week.
It's why the Premier League is watched so much all over the world: because it has more pace and more physicality than in any other league.
