Mum and dad are always looking out for me; they just want the best for me.
Declan Rice
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.
Growing up, John Terry was my obvious idol. I based my whole game on him.
There are no guarantees getting into an England squad: there's so many unbelievable players.
The likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling - they give you all the confidence you need. They give you little pats on the back, tell you you're doing well.
You've got to test yourself against the best to know you are the best.
I'm composed, and I'm a calm player.
I like Jorginho, the way he plays and passes.
It's crazy to be spoken about like Mascherano. He's won everything: Champions League, La Ligas; he's been at World Cups.
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 don't read too much into things and look at social media. It's all a load of crap.
I want to win trophies, even the Champions League. You have to be ambitious.
No one is guaranteed their place in the squad.
Without a doubt, the plan was always to stay at West Ham.
If I didn't want to be playing for Ireland, I wouldn't be here.
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'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.
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.
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.
I've seen comparisons between myself and Bobby Moore. It's nice to be told there are similarities, but nobody will come close to him - what a player, what a man!
I've got to live up to some legends like Robbie Keane and Liam Brady.
No dream is far away.
I just have to stay focused and play football with a smile on my face.
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.
Mark O'Toole from the FAI has looked after me well back in England to the point that I consider him a father figure.
I had to move away from home at 14 and live in a club house in Romford for three years, only seeing my mum and dad twice a week.
I like to do the simple things really well, keep the ball ticking.
I've always been good at handling stuff mentally.
The call-up is one of the best feelings you're ever going to feel.
As you can hear, I am English - I am from England - and it was really good playing for Ireland.
I only ever wanted to be a footballer.
At West Ham, I was the last person to be offered a scholarship. I remember an Under 18 match against Fulham. I was 16 and had to prove myself. Everyone else already had their scholarship. It was probably one of my best games. Knowing that every day I'd have to fight has made me into the person I am today.
Coming to the game, my first time with England at Wembley, it's a special moment.
Everyone knows Chadwell Heath; it's historic.
People who troll you want a reaction, and there's no point in doing that. I just try to focus on my football.
I just try to keep level-headed and try to improve every day.
I thought I did well for only being 19 years old on the international scene. I was proud of myself.
The crowd are entitled to their opinion, and as players, we have to go out there and play well.
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 have a special connection with the fans. It's unbelievable.
I love every minute of being at West Ham.
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.
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.
Like so many people around the world, I consider myself to be of mixed nationality.
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.
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.
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.
I study for myself, my own games and others.
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.
England have never wanted me at underage level; it's always been Ireland.
