James Ward-Prowse

“I have based my game all around being professional and working hard and that has helped me get through the tough times.”

“I've been young before, looked up to footballers and maybe they've been too busy to sign an autograph or say hello.”

“If you're not up for group games at the European finals then there is something wrong.”

“International-wise I want to be heading for the full England squad.”

“It's not just about the 11 players that start the games, it's about the squad players, the ones that come on off the bench to make the impact and also the ones that maybe don't play but are part of the squad.”

“I'm enjoying my football at Southampton and it's a great place to be and I enjoy playing at Southampton.”

“In football you have to be able to deal with the ups and downs.”

“It is a good thing to be nice but to get to a certain level you have to have that bite.”

“I probably started practicing in my mum and dad's garden, I'd watch endless amount of games and I'd watch Beckham, the Gerrards, Lampards, the free kick takers, the penalty takers and those sort of players. They were the ones who I was trying to replicate in the garden.”

“Away from the pitch, I am still the same guy, but on the pitch, I want to be more aggressive. It's a mindset change.”

“I'm a big believer in my technique and, if I can put the ball where I want to, no keeper can save it.”

“Jose Fonte is a fantastic captain and I've been learning from him. Hopefully he can show me the way and lead me down the right path.”

“Ultimately if I want to be in that World Cup squad then I need to prove that I can do it against the top teams because that's who we need to beat if we want to be world champions.”

“I believe in muscle memory - the more you practice an action, the more your body becomes in sync with it.”

“Beckham was the one for me. Not only his free-kicks but his overall image. I copied every haircut, I wanted his boots, I wanted to wear his number. He was the guy that I looked up to and thought: 'Wow.' He had that effect on me and inspired me to try and take free-kicks.”

“I've had a few years of starting games and not starting games so I want to nail down a permanent place in the team.”

“During my practising I wanted to find the right technique for me.”

“Just by making a tackle or a good pressing run, the stadium lifts and we are on the front foot.”

“You have to enjoy the good moments, of course, but you also have to work through the tough times and maintain that belief in yourself and that is all I have done.”

“I was a bit afraid of a tackle and wasn't really ready for the men's game so my dad suggested that I go to train with Havant & Waterlooville in the Blue Square South and get kicked and have that sort of feeling.”