I know when I'm good and when there are a few things I need to iron out.

I've played in the big games and I've done well.

Hopefully, I've got rid of the question marks over whether I can play at the top level.

That's the buzz you want as a footballer - to perform well in the big high-profile games.

There are challenges in front of you that you face all the time in football. You ride through and come out the other end.

Having people doubt you is what gives you that fire in your belly.

When I first came to Chelsea, I realised there is an expectation on everybody here and history proved that this club wins trophies. I wanted to be a part of that. Thankfully, I've worked hard, got in the team and I've played my part.

Leaving Chelsea was sad, but naturally everything has to come to an end.

Are Chelsea a hard club to turn down? Yes, of course.

You expect to have to soak up some pressure when you are playing Manchester City away from home.

I always think the same: English players don't generally leave England, which is strange. But of course, the Premier League's got the reputation as one of best leagues going, and one of the most competitive leagues.

You can go anywhere in the Premier League and it's going to be tough. Every single game is so tough. So I think if you make it, and you're lucky enough to play in the Premier League, I don't think there's a need to go anywhere.

In football you go from hurdle to hurdle, there's always something to motivate you, always something you want to get.

I don't think you sit there as a young boy thinking you want a full set of medals, you just want to achieve something.

It's always difficult not playing games and that match fitness and sharpness is something you always lack when you don't get that opportunity.

The most important thing is that the team is doing well.

You always try to prove yourself.

My teammates don't see it, but deep down I find it tough to sit there and not influence big games.

It's tough to be left out. At Chelsea I've probably played 90 per cent of the time. It's not something I handle very well.

Everything gradually comes to an end or there's a new challenge around the corner.

Every experience, good or bad, is a learning process.

I went to the World Cup and didn't play, but I came back with an even higher opinion of Gareth Southgate. It's all about how you treat somebody.

If you are not playing a player, any player, for two, three, four games, then you don't have to give a reason for that. But if it gets to eight or nine games, then you have to explain the situation. What's going on?

That's what I want to do, to go out and perform back to the levels I know I'm capable of, the levels you can produce with consistent games and to win football matches.