Playing at the World Cup is something that I am really hungry for.
— Gary Cahill
Any moment that you have the opportunity to wear the armband for your country is amazing.
Paul Gascoigne was one who I watched as a young boy. He was a hero to all of us really. Chris Waddle was one for me too, just because of where I grew up. Where I'm from, he was somebody who was representing England and playing in the Premier League, and as a young boy I always wanted to do both.
I was always confident that if someone took the chance to play me week in and week out that I would fulfil my potential.
I know when I'm good and when there are a few things I need to iron out.
For me, it's about consistently churning out performances and looking to improve at the same time.
Having people doubt you is what gives you that fire in your belly.
Are Chelsea a hard club to turn down? Yes, of course.
You can go anywhere in the Premier League and it's going to be tough. Every single game is so tough. So I think if you make it, and you're lucky enough to play in the Premier League, I don't think there's a need to go anywhere.
It's always difficult not playing games and that match fitness and sharpness is something you always lack when you don't get that opportunity.
You always try to prove yourself.
Everything gradually comes to an end or there's a new challenge around the corner.
If you are not playing a player, any player, for two, three, four games, then you don't have to give a reason for that. But if it gets to eight or nine games, then you have to explain the situation. What's going on?
I'm not a guy who is willing to accept not playing.
We won the Europa League in 2013 and it was an amazing night, an amazing feeling. I take those memories and think to myself, 'I want to do that again.'
I have been hugely proud in terms of what I have achieved, in terms of over 60 caps, and I have captained my country on a few occasions which has been a huge honour and something I have been really proud of in my career.
Frank Lampard was fantastic.
I am constantly analysing my performances and I tend to focus more on things I haven't done as well as I'd have liked.
If you can play effective counter-attacking football, as you see in the Premier League, it's very effective.
The scary thing about blood clots is where they can lead.
Where you have a little setback or you are out of the team you're considered a different player but you know you will come out of the other side of it.
I've played in the big games and I've done well.
That's the buzz you want as a footballer - to perform well in the big high-profile games.
When I first came to Chelsea, I realised there is an expectation on everybody here and history proved that this club wins trophies. I wanted to be a part of that. Thankfully, I've worked hard, got in the team and I've played my part.
You expect to have to soak up some pressure when you are playing Manchester City away from home.
In football you go from hurdle to hurdle, there's always something to motivate you, always something you want to get.
The most important thing is that the team is doing well.
My teammates don't see it, but deep down I find it tough to sit there and not influence big games.
Every experience, good or bad, is a learning process.
That's what I want to do, to go out and perform back to the levels I know I'm capable of, the levels you can produce with consistent games and to win football matches.
I've always been hungry to play football.
It has been a huge honour and I am hugely grateful to the managers for the caps that I have had.
I know what I'm capable of over many years.
It's always strange going back to Villa Park for me.
Playing at a club like Chelsea and being given the opportunity to play with the world-class players that we have means you can learn from them and improve your game.
My best World Cup memory as a fan? The Michael Owen goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Rafa Benitez was keen on defending - all dropping back together if you lose the ball.
I'm human. I want to play, I want to perform well.
Hopefully, I've got rid of the question marks over whether I can play at the top level.
There are challenges in front of you that you face all the time in football. You ride through and come out the other end.
Leaving Chelsea was sad, but naturally everything has to come to an end.
I always think the same: English players don't generally leave England, which is strange. But of course, the Premier League's got the reputation as one of best leagues going, and one of the most competitive leagues.
I don't think you sit there as a young boy thinking you want a full set of medals, you just want to achieve something.
The majority of Chelsea fans have been unbelievable, but there is maybe five per cent always thinking, 'Get the next best thing in.' I feel that.
It's tough to be left out. At Chelsea I've probably played 90 per cent of the time. It's not something I handle very well.
I went to the World Cup and didn't play, but I came back with an even higher opinion of Gareth Southgate. It's all about how you treat somebody.
It's all about playing. Your career's short enough as it is.
I'm ambitious in everything I do. That is never going to change.
I have been hugely honoured to have played for my country and I would never shut the door.
When you think of Bolton you think of the likes of Kevin Davies. He is a captain who leads by example and his qualities got him an England cap.
