Quotes from Ross Barkley

I've matured, I understand the game much more, which can be natural as you grow up.

I've had to push myself and I've really matured.

I feel I'm a player who entertains and gets people on the edge of their seats, as well as trying to be a game-changer who can win a game for the team.

Partying? I don't really think about that.

You don't want to play in your shell.

You have to go through bad days to get to the great days you have in your career.

Mum has been the biggest influence on me.

When I broke into the Everton side under Roberto Martinez, I was playing in the No. 10 role, and I had never played there before, so I was getting used to that role as a first-team player.

Mum used to have my sister to look after, so I had to make my own way to training. I would get a bus to town and another one to Netherton. It would take about an hour.

You want to be playing off the cuff sometimes to take chances and make something happen.

You have to work hard and your chances will come.

It's Chelsea and you will always have competition for places here.

As a kid, I looked up to Gazza, and to Wayne Rooney because he came through at Everton. Zidane has been one of my favourite players and I was always watching videos of him.

I'm a striker. I feel I can have my greatest impact there because I'm free to roam around the pitch, take players on, have shots and create chances.

It's about getting the right balance and knowing on the pitch when is the right time to take risks.

I have got a lot of confidence in my ability now, and I feel like I am going in the right direction and this shows in my performances on the pitch. As a person I feel a lot more confident.

I'm not scared when I'm on the pitch.

I know how important it is to take different tactics from different managers on board.

The Premier League's the most competitive in the world.

When I was younger I just used to get the ball and take on all the players because I was bigger and stronger. You cannot do that in the Premier League. You are playing against men.

On derby day it's not down to form, it's on the day, who's prepared for the game and who wants to battle.

I've got a defensive responsibility as well as trying to get goals and assists. I'm trying to do that.

Compared to when I was 18, 19 or 20, I would say my diet is the big difference. It is much better.

My first tattoo was when I was 14. I was a bit young, like. I was a big lad so they didn't question my age at the time.