JERMAIN DEFOE

I don't think I could ever describe myself as unlucky because people would look at me, playing football for a living, and say: 'Are you winding me up?'

I don't go out drinking and stuff like that. My friends say 'Just have one drink, JD.' I say 'What's the point?' I'll go to a club and have a Red Bull, get my buzz. And the next day I feel cool. It's discipline, not just with drinking but a lot of things in life. You've just got to look at the bigger picture.

When you've something to fight for, you get the best out of yourself.

I am a bit of a control freak. If I get married, my wife isn't going out. No way. She's staying at home. She's not going out to clubs without me. I've already decided the rules, whoever she is.

You want to play in the best stadiums against the best players - your Real Madrid's and Barcelona's - you want to play those teams.

I knew I could play really well in one game, score the winning goal and then, come the next game, I wouldn't play at all or I might come off the bench for the last five minutes. So I was frustrated towards the end of my time at Spurs. I wasn't happy.

I don't know about anyone else, but if I had problems or issues, maybe I wouldn't feel as comfortable talking about them in a group.

I understand it's difficult but you've got to think about yourself, you know, and not just follow the crowd.

I feel 21. I've looked after myself and take my football seriously.

To win a major tournament you have to face the top teams at some point, but if you avoid those at the beginning then you can win games and build confidence. I think the key is just to get off to a good start.

It doesn't matter who you are, football's a business. At some stage you're going to have to leave a football club; that's just normal.

The best thing about football is that the rules are so simple. Anyone can play anywhere.

I want to again highlight the desperate need for us to pull together - the world over - to tackle knife crime and teach everyone how sacred a life is.

For me, there's nothing that beats playing. When I'm not playing, I'll watch games on the television, watch stuff on You Tube, everything. I just live for football, love watching great players.

It was easy to get wrapped up in some of the negative stuff, but obviously I chose not to. I didn't want to get in trouble and end up in prison where I can't play football. It was as simple as that.

The key for me is movement. When the ball comes into the box, or when the wide players get it, that's where I have to be clever and make my runs. That's where I come alive.

People know what they're getting with me. It's part and parcel of football that people want to see new faces, but all I can do is play games, score goals and prove I can do it. My record is there for everyone to see.

I don't do chat-up lines. Girls often tell me I'm cheeky. Being cheeky seems to work OK for me.

When I get up in the morning, I look forward to the games and I'm just buzzing. At the end of the day, if you are nervous or scared before games, you are not going to perform. I just go out there and think, 'If I get a chance, I'm going to score' and that's it.

I scored in a World Cup and I want that buzz again.

When you play with good players, they will always create chances for the forwards to score.

When you are young, nothing is more important than football, but as you get older, you get married, have kids and lose people. Then you realise your family is more important. This comes with age.

When you get up in the morning and know you're doing something you love, feel fit and look after yourself, it's just a great thing to do.

I think my faith is important. Being young as well, sometimes it's difficult, but I've got a good family behind me as well.

I am doing my job and trying to win a game for my team. I shouldn't be getting racially abused; it's silly.