Jack Rodwell Quotes

"There have been ups and downs over the years, but that's in the past, and now I'm just looking forward and focussed on the future ahead."

"In my first season after Mancini signed me, I was injured a lot, but when I was fit, he did play me."

"I started out playing football in the park with my dad. My dad was a bit of a ball player, but he couldn't really be bothered playing."

"It's been frustrating for me, as I've been injured a lot, but hopefully, I can get more fitness and get time on the pitch."

"It is effectively a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be involved, and the chance to win an Olympic medal would be amazing."

"When you're out for a week here and there, it sets you back, and you're out of the team."

"To play in the white shirt of England is an honour, and you give your all every time you step on the pitch."

"I'm a great believer in my ability, but I've not had the chance to prove it."

"You always want to test yourself at a high level, and I would be proud to represent Great Britain."

"To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, when I made my debut at Everton, I just played in central midfield, and it went from there."

"I've played at centre-half plenty of times before."

"Eventually, I think I'll probably end up at centre-half. By the time I get to 28 or 29, I imagine I'll be a defender."

"I've played all over, to be honest. Centre-half, defensive midfield, attacking midfield."

"I have been playing box-to-box more for Everton as a two, so I have felt comfortable in that position, but anywhere across the midfield I can play."

"I vaguely remember the 1998 World Cup. Michael Owen scored; I remember watching that."

"There's been a lot come through at Everton: Wayne Rooney, obviously, and lately, Victor Anichebe has made it, James Vaughan, and the likes of myself."

"I just want to do the best I can, which means hopefully play for the full England side one day and carry on playing well for Everton."

"The player I look up to is Rio Ferdinand. I have always played at the back, and I've always tried to base my game on his."

"I've been at Man City and won the league. I've played for England. I've had success and good times - just not enough for someone of my ability."

"Blackburn is a club which has won the Premier League before, and it doesn't get bigger or better than that."

"It's mentally hard. There are times when you're set back again, and you don't know what to do."

"I'm not saying I'm never going to get injured again; that's just impossible."

"When you're on the pitch, you can't think about what the fans are thinking."

"I'm a footballer; I want a football club."

"I joined Sunderland, a great club, to be successful, to feel at home again. It hasn't worked out, but that's not through lack of effort."

"A lot is made of my injuries and yes, I've had niggles and muscle problems. Some managers haven't picked me, and my form has played a part at times as well."

"I do believe I'm a Premier League player, and I do believe I'm an England international when I'm fit and on form."

"What I've been missing in my career is 30 back-to-back games and getting a good run of form and confidence."

"International football is different to the Premier League."

"England Under 16, Under 17, Under 18, I played centre-half. But back then, David Moyes thought it was difficult to throw a 16-year-old in there. There was a big hype around me. He wanted me to fulfil my potential; he wanted to get me in as early as possible."