Athlete

If a player wants to be the best, then they also need to give themselves a talking-to. You need to look inwards.

I never want anyone to think I've been given a helping hand. I've always worked for everything, whether it be on the football field or away from it.

Even when I play in World Cups, I don't look at things like that. It's something that I want to be doing, so why would I put extra pressure on myself? I'm just going to go out there and enjoy it.

I've been in football since I was eight. Of course I know what I'm talking about.

In the 2007 World Cup, Kelly Smith went to another level, scoring twice against Japan and dragging the team forward with an infectious enthusiasm. She changed the dynamic, and we all followed her lead.

I was never motivated by money. I wanted to be an FA Cup finalist. I wanted to walk up the steps at Wembley. I wanted to win the league. I still only ever want to win trophies.

The enjoyment of playing football gave me a positive pathway, but I could have taken a very different path.

For me, football is football. I'm a fan; I'm passionate. I feel lucky to be in the position that I am.

Football is for everyone, no matter what background you're from, what age, what level you play at. This is what it's all about: coming out today, having a good time, and getting involved.

We need to give our goalkeepers the same level of training that we've given to our outfield players.

I see I'm changing the game and opening doors for others, from my beginning from the east end of London. It's not a sob story; it made me the person I am today. It's seeing kids from any area or background you're from. There's a chance; you can make it.

While I was playing football in the U.S., I learnt to play the guitar, and I'm picking it up again now.

All I know is two wrongs do not make a right. And nobody's perfect; ain't nobody right all the time.

I didn't want to come to the end of my career and think, 'What next?'

Most of my football education was under Hope Powell, and were some of her training sessions boring? Yes. But were they necessary? Yes. We fully understood what we needed to do as a defensive unit.

My first thought for the off season is to go somewhere hot and on the beach.

If my dog Ella, named after the Rihanna song 'Umbrella', could be with me at all times, that would make me happy.

As a pundit, I have to tell the truth. I think players will respect that. Well, I hope they do.

I played in three World Cups, and I would say that it was the last one that I enjoyed the most.

I have played in matches where individuals have frozen and gone into their shells: they don't want the ball, they don't communicate, and they don't do their jobs. Fear turns them to stone.