Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on rejecting #Chelsea in 2018:
"It’s very hard to grow up there and sometimes you sign and you have to go on loan, things like that. It’s better, I think, to work in your club and then sign to be a No 1 at 24, 25."
"The media is getting bigger and bigger nowadays. Of course, when you play good you are the hero everywhere, but when you play badly it is a totally different story. You have to step away from that and concentrate on your football."
"It’s not always easy because you have media on your phone, media always around you which can bring something up you can see, but you have to be straight, in your own bubble, to think only about the football."
"This has been a tough time for a lot of people, me included. For me, the most important thing is having a good support system and people around me that I can always rely on and have a chat to."
"Personally, living alone in Europe has been tough at times. Having someone always there to talk to is extremely important for me, it’s what’s carried me through this time."
"When it’s all on you it can really feel like a lot. Personally, during this time, I reached out to a therapist and it’s not something anyone should be ashamed of. It’s something that can help talk about the way that you’re feeling."
"The competition with Reece [James] is very strong. As I have said before, this is Chelsea and you have to fight for your place in the team along with many other good players. This has been the same since I arrived here in 2012."
"Reece is a fantastic boy, he’s a huge talent and he has lots of quality. I’m happy to try to help him and the team wherever I can. It’s a huge challenge every day to work hard, prove yourself and fight for your place in the team."
"I want to play as much as possible, that is my target, but of course I want to help the team first and foremost. Of course, every player wants to play every single game but we have to respect the decision of the manager..."