Quotes from Declan Rice

I like Jorginho, the way he plays and passes.

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 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.

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 got to live up to some legends like Robbie Keane and Liam Brady.

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.

I'm composed, and I'm a calm player.

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.

It's good that I can play in two positions, as a centre-back or as a holding midfielder, as I just want to get minutes and get games.

My nan and granddad are from Cork.

I don't read too much into things and look at social media. It's all a load of crap.

I love every minute of being at West Ham.

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.

No dream is far away.

Mark O'Toole from the FAI has looked after me well back in England to the point that I consider him a father figure.

Growing up, John Terry was my obvious idol. I based my whole game on him.

I only ever wanted to be a footballer.

People who troll you want a reaction, and there's no point in doing that. I just try to focus on my football.

Without a doubt, the plan was always to stay at West Ham.

It's crazy to be spoken about like Mascherano. He's won everything: Champions League, La Ligas; he's been at World Cups.

I like to do the simple things really well, keep the ball ticking.

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.

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.

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.