Jermain Defoe

“If I ever score against Spurs, I won't celebrate. Even if it's the best goal in the world, I'll keep it subdued. It's a respect thing. The fans were brilliant towards me; I'll be playing against my friends and I can't forget that.”

“I don't think I could ever describe myself as unlucky because people would look at me, playing football for a living, and say: 'Are you winding me up?'”

“Going to a major tournament, having that buzz - it's hard to put into words. It's a dream to go there, and to play. It's the biggest thing you can achieve in your career, and to go again would be a dream.”

“When you are young, nothing is more important than football, but as you get older, you get married, have kids and lose people. Then you realise your family is more important. This comes with age.”

“The role that I play as a lone striker, I enjoy it and particularly playing with great players.”

“I don't know about anyone else, but if I had problems or issues, maybe I wouldn't feel as comfortable talking about them in a group.”

“I knew I could play really well in one game, score the winning goal and then, come the next game, I wouldn't play at all or I might come off the bench for the last five minutes. So I was frustrated towards the end of my time at Spurs. I wasn't happy.”

“You want to play in the best stadiums against the best players - your Real Madrid's and Barcelona's - you want to play those teams.”

“The key for me is movement. When the ball comes into the box, or when the wide players get it, that's where I have to be clever and make my runs. That's where I come alive.”

“The best thing about football is that the rules are so simple. Anyone can play anywhere.”

“If you're good to your body, your body's good to you.”

“I've always been a religious person, and I try to think that every disappointment might just be a blessing in disguise.”

“People know what they're getting with me. It's part and parcel of football that people want to see new faces, but all I can do is play games, score goals and prove I can do it. My record is there for everyone to see.”

“When you get up in the morning and know you're doing something you love, feel fit and look after yourself, it's just a great thing to do.”

“It was easy to get wrapped up in some of the negative stuff, but obviously I chose not to. I didn't want to get in trouble and end up in prison where I can't play football. It was as simple as that.”

“I pray every day. In the mornings and, before I go to bed. I think it's important to pray not just when things are going bad. When things are going bad, it's easy to pray and ask God to help you out, but it's also important to pray when things are going well and show your appreciation.”

“I prefer not to fly, but sometimes it's unavoidable.”

“There is always going to be competition. When you play for a top club, you're going to attract top players. It's part and parcel of football.”

“I'm a forward, but I can't be the only forward at a club. Over the years, the clubs who've won titles have had several strikers.”

“Before games, people ask whether I get nervous. To be honest, I don't get nervous, I just enjoy it. I am living the dream. When I was a kid I always wanted to play for my country and now I am here, I will enjoy it.”