I just try to work on my craft. Try to be as complete a player as possible, and I've just been focusing on being a consistent player.
My goal was just to try and be the best player on my high school team, and look where I am now. And that was still my goal as a young kid, just to try and be a little better than my brother was.
I'm Ross Barkley and I've got to create a better version of the player I am and show what I can do, not try to be like someone else. That's part of what I hope I can achieve here, to make people aware of who I am as a player and show everyone what I can do.
But I am a basketball player going out there to compete, I am going to try to win no matter what. That is just in my blood.
I can't be the same as another player. I am just my way and I will try to improve on that at Chelsea.
A lot of people just think I'm a big man, but I'm a basketball player. I am able to do everything that a basketball player can do - from playmaking and scoring to just passing the ball and just being a leader and post presence.
So, really, I just try to be the best guitar player I can be - not the best female guitar player, not the best 'X amount of years' guitar player, or whatever - just the best guitar player.
I believe that I'm a special player. I think people love the way I just try to play. I don't try to impress anyone when I'm playing or anything. I just have a feel for the game.
A player is someone - a guy - that messes with girls' emotions just to try and get what they want. I've been asked, 'Do you consider yourself a player?' And the answer is no. I don't think I'm anywhere near that.
I come to spring training and just try to do my job, try to do the best I can. That's all any player can do.
I am a player who likes to play in between the lines and try to break that midfield line, whether it's when I receive a pass or can go and show everyone what I am about.
There have been some terrific player's names being bandied around that I am being compared to and that is great. I am just able, touch wood, to take it in my stride. That's how I am. I am not embarrassed or pressurised by it. It is just great and I want to do as well as they did.
There wasn't any particular player I modeled my game after. I tried to learn from everyone and create my own style. I studied past players... Truth be told I never had a favorite player. It's just not my nature to go around idolizing people. I just go try to learn.
I am a product of an amalgamation of different teachers. If it was just one teacher, even just my father, I would be half the player that I am today.
Well, for me, I don't need validation from no one to tell me what type of player I am or number to tell me throughout the year what type of player I am. It's all about your ability to go out there and just compete.
I am the only player who has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and am the second-best player in my family.