Competition for Places Quotes

It's true that at Malaga, I played every game as a starter, but here at Madrid, they give nothing away.

When you play at City with top players, you don't have a guaranteed place in the starting eleven.

Of course it is going to be difficult for any player to get in the Chelsea side no matter who they are.

Italy have plenty of high-quality players. Newcomers need time to get adjusted to the set-up and the system of play. I'm very young, and although I think I have shown good quality in my international games, I realise that there are plenty of others competing for places.

You're there to score runs. If you don't do that over a period of time, people will look elsewhere. That hasn't changed and that'll never change, whether it's myself or Jimmy Anderson, you've got to play to a certain level to be picked for England or even Essex.

With Conte, everyone has to earn his starting place.

I have to be scoring goals and playing well to get in the team because, if not, others who are in better form will play.

I admit I was somewhat concerned when we started to sign so many players - naturally you are going to worry about whether you can retain your place in the side.

For every Scottish player and whoever qualifies to play for Scotland, it's important to put in the performances and, when a squad is coming up, to stay on your toes and prove you deserve to be there.

I want to widen the pool. In the past, England players have maybe had the comfort of knowing what the next squad is going to be before it's announced, but I'd like there to be more uncertainty. More competition for places means the standard goes up.