My philosophy for football is to be happy with what you're doing. When they say that you're one of the strongest in the world, you need to carry on in the same way as you do when they say that you're dead.

I always believe that it's beautiful to win important matches, but it's also very important simply to reach those moments. I truly believe that.

I've become accustomed to playing against four defenders throughout my career, but in Italy, I have to play against five.

I always fight. I work, and I want to be one of the best. It might go wrong, but the goal is always the same: to improve.

There's a massive difference between playing Under-21 football and being on the bench at Chelsea, and playing every week in a league where you are playing for people's livelihoods and helping to pay their mortgages.

Our village is very small, so I wasn't surprised when I heard some negative comments from my neighbours on my interest in sports. But nothing mattered, as I always knew what I was doing and why I was doing it.

Golf is the only sport that a professional can enjoy playing with his friends.

Of course we all dream about doing big, playing for big clubs, but I wanted to play football because of the love for the game.