Aaron Wan-Bissaka

“Because I've been in a winger's position I know how to think at times. Where you see space down the line you take it. That's what I like to give them.”

“I'd never tackle on Walton Green. I was too busy doing the tricks, and I just didn't like defending. I'd intercept the ball because I was quick, but I only probably started tackling in the under-23s.”

“I love tackles, man.”

“As a kid, playing for my country was a dream. It would be such a huge honour.”

“I know you cannot just dive into any tackle. You've got to make sure you time it right.”

“When it comes to games, it's not just about my performance, it's about the team.”

“The place where I grew up, New Addington, Croydon, there's literally only one exit, which is the same way you came in. It makes it feel kinda like... trapped somehow, you know?”

“The feeling of 70,000 cheering you make a tackle, singing your name is... honestly, I can't put it into words.”

“I can feel it in myself, the confidence and excitement of when every game comes up.”

“I only became a defender quite late in my own development, and it took a lot of patience.”

“I realised I was alright at tackling around 18, but it just caught the eyes of the coaches when I was training with the first team at Palace. That's when I realised it was a special trait.”

“It took time for me to get success as a defender so, if you stick with it, eventually it will go right.”

“It's quite hard to motivate yourself to train hard. Because you'd be telling yourself: 'What am I training for? When I'm not going to be playing.' But I had the mindset: 'I'll train for myself.'”

“After every tackle it gives me confidence.”

“The tackling, it is just concentration really.”

“I'd say Raheem Sterling; those are the battles I've enjoyed the most. He keeps going, just keeps on coming at you. Doesn't matter if he doesn't get past you in one challenge, he keeps coming back for more every time. That's what I like.”

“I don't do tweets. I can't keep up.”

“I had the love for the game at first sight. Growing up, I'd play anywhere, in any weather.”

“When I was a winger, I hated being tackled!”

“I've never thought of anything other than becoming a professional footballer. So that was always on my mind, which helped me push and chase that dream.”