At first it was a bit surreal playing in the Premier League at 16, coming up against world-class players, because it had always been my dream. But quickly, it becomes second nature to you.
The player I look up to is Rio Ferdinand. I have always played at the back, and I've always tried to base my game on his.
Eventually, I think I'll probably end up at centre-half. By the time I get to 28 or 29, I imagine I'll be a defender.
Throughout their career, the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta have all been taught to a play a certain way. English players have been taught a different way, just like Brazil have been taught a different way.
I'm just going to give my all every game, be a good box-to-box midfielder, hopefully score some goals, and I will always give it 100 per cent.
I've had injuries that have hampered my career but that is part and parcel of being a footballer. You just have to bounce back and remain focused.
I was not guaranteed a starting place at Everton. I had a lot of injuries. Darron Gibson and Marouane Fellaini were in form, so it was a push for me to get in that side.
To be honest, from England Under-16s, through the 17s and 18s, really all the way through my youth career, I played at centre-half. For some reason, when I made my debut at Everton, I just played in central midfield, and it went from there.
I just want to do the best I can, which means playing for the England full side one day and carry on playing well for Everton.
In my first season after Mancini signed me, I was injured a lot, but when I was fit, he did play me.