Quotes from Ruben Loftus-Cheek

It's tough being at Chelsea. I work hard every day in training. It's a massive club with really good players, so you don't get the opportunity every weekend.

It's important for me to work hard and give 100 per cent in training to try to improve.

I really liked watching Thierry Henry and Zidane, especially Henry in his Arsenal days.

I realised to keep improving, I needed to play more. It wasn't easy not getting many chances, but I knew I just had to keep working hard in training and take the opportunities when they came.

My goal simply was to have an impact, to try to make a contribution and help the team win. I wasn't thinking, 'I want to play well, so I start the next game.' But every kid's dream is to play in the World Cup. Watching at home with your parents when you're 10 years old, you never think you'll be there in the future.

Training has always been top level. No matter if it's at a World Cup or not, training's been really good and at a high level.

Any game in the World Cup is a tough game. The atmosphere brings a lot out of both teams.

Playing at the World Cup stage excites me.

I had problems growing up. I had a sudden growth spurt at 15 or 16, and I got a lot of injuries as a result. I gained all this muscle, and my bones couldn't cope. I used to get so tired.

Zidane was just so majestic on the ball, relaxed. He oozed class, and I loved watching him. I remember France against Brazil in 2006. One of those game, I just couldn't believe the class of him.

I'd been at Chelsea for a while and progressed quite quickly until I got to the first team, and then it was different. I was used to playing every minute of every game, but when you get to that level, the step up is massive. There are world-class players in front of you, and no matter how talented you are, breaking in is difficult.

I've trained with some top players at Chelsea, but sometimes training is not enough.

I'd say Eden Hazard is the best player I've trained with. But the best trainer has to be Frank Lampard. And John Terry, too. Their attitude to training. They train properly every day. They really stood out for me.

I won't be intimidated by any player or team, I think that is fundamental in football if you want to do well.

I'm not afraid of any competition. I'm not going to be intimidated by any player or team. That is fundamental in football if you want to do well.

I do some yoga, but it's just about managing my back because that step up physically to men's football is big. I know I look big and strong, but it's still hard on my body. But I'm feeling stronger and stronger the more I play.

Since I was a young kid, I have always been calm on the ball. That comes down to awareness as well. When you have good awareness and you know what's going on around you, you don't need to panic. There is no point. It just makes things worse. You have to stay calm, cool, and collected.

Always be confident on the ball and have no fear when going out on the pitch. That is one thing young players need to have in their game to develop and play their best football, so that is what I do.

I do understand Chelsea are a big club, and there is always pressure on managers to win games and trophies. So I understand they might not be willing to take a chance on someone at a bigger club.

It's been so difficult to go from playing every game then get to the seniors and not be given a chance. It's really difficult mentally. There's only so long you just enjoy training with top players.

The more you play, the more you feel part of the squad, and then, in turn, you end up playing better. I think it's a psychological gap as well - if you don't think you're a first-team player, then you won't be.

It was amazing to be playing at Stamford Bridge with the stadium full.

I'm not one to bow under immense pressure. I know how to deal with it. As a youth player growing up and playing for England, you deal with it then and get used to it. You just carry on into the bigger stages, and it has become natural to me.

To compare players at different stages in their career shouldn't happen.