I've always been a city person - London boy - and New York is just incredible. It has what London has but almost more in terms of variety, culture, social life, everything. I just like walking the streets and feeling the energy and the vibe.

People had said to me New York is kind of cutthroat and people walk past you on the street. I find it the opposite. I find that people want to talk.

I come from a football family which has really helped.

Nobody expects a footballer to have any kind of an IQ, which is a bit of an unfair stereotype.

I had a chance to go to Italy when I was younger and that would have been tough because of the language. America is easier but I really loved it.

When you see young players coming into the squad and pushing you, no matter what age you are, you have to react. You have to worry about yourself and perform as well as you can. If you end up looking around at others, wondering whos performing better, you take your eye off the ball.

I never relax on the year before. Every year I want to get more out of myself so I use it as a driving force, rather than a pressure thing.