CHRIS SMALLING

When someone like Lukaku gets you in the position where he's holding you off it is key to try and nick it in front of him.

Everyone has their own traits but if you are being compared to players like Rio Ferdinand then you must be doing something well and hopefully I can keep that going.

If you would have told me that I'd be in a European final back when I was at Maidstone then I wouldn't have believed you.

Playing in the Manchester derby definitely helped me.

I have a collage of pictures of my dad holding my brother and me. I look at that before every game just to remind me about having no fear or regrets and to go out and enjoy the moment, because I know how precious life is.

Everyone becomes a lot more focused when you come towards the critical stages of the season.

It's nice when you can have that battle on the pitch and then there's respect after the game because, ultimately, you are just trying to do your best.

I knew when I did get a consistent run that I could go from height to height.

When you get the shirt and a position in the team, you don't want to give it up.

All you can do is let your football do the talking.

I understand that I am in an extremely privileged position and I am deeply thankful for that but, at the end of the day, we are all human.

All of us are professionals and no player wants not to play.

You learn that you can't take what's happened in the previous years for granted.

I guess football is a game of opinions.

It doesn't matter whether it's the 93rd minute, Giggsy is making his jinky, mazy little runs. You could forgive him for maybe not coming out training every day, because he's done so much in the game, but every day he's out there. He doesn't seem to need a rest.

You're never going to be bulletproof, but if you're feeding yourself good food and making sure you're eating the right supplements, I think you reduce the chances of getting any niggling injuries.

It is nice to hear yourself being compared to great players.

Whether it's the Premier League or the Champions League, I can showcase my abilities.

The FA Cup is notoriously unpredictable.

I think a lot of managers say that it starts from the front and us as defenders know it helps our job when the front two strikers put that pressure on. If they can do that it makes our job a lot easier.

My mum and brother are so proud of me.

I just try to do my best and try to be a part of the team.

I love a challenge and when a new centre-back comes in it makes you raise your game. You have to show more, you have to be more consistent.

Even before I went vegan, in terms of cutting out red meat, my tendinitis and recovery after games was vastly improved.

People might think it's all about getting up for a game but it's often the opposite.