England have never wanted me at underage level; it's always been Ireland.
It's crazy to be spoken about like Mascherano. He's won everything: Champions League, La Ligas; he's been at World Cups.
I was released by Chelsea at 14 years old. I remember it, a Tuesday night. On the Wednesday, I was training with Fulham, five minutes from my house, and then on the Thursday, I was training with West Ham. After one session at both clubs, they both wanted me.
When Chelsea let me go, it was really deflating. For me, as a youngster, it's all I ever knew - living 10 minutes from the training ground, going to loads of the games.
The likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling - they give you all the confidence you need. They give you little pats on the back, tell you you're doing well.
As a holding midfield player, you want movement and to play between the lines.
