West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice believes his game has matured over the past 12 to 18 months.
The Hammers are continuing to make a push for a Champions League spot through the Premier League this season.
Despite their ups and downs in recent games, Rice has emerged as a key figure in the heart of midfield for West Ham.
He has also been excellent for England, both at the Euros and in World Cup Qualifiers.
"I have always had this ability in my mind, everyone's always told me, but I have been adding to it, season on season, and I feel like this season I have matured, I have pretty much grown into a man now," Rice told the club's website.
"I have been doing things that people obviously didn't think I could do on a football pitch, but I have known myself I can do it. It's just building the foundations to keep improving and getting better.
"My Dad always says it to me. When I step on the pitch, he says 'what have you got to lose?' And I have that mindset. It's like 'I have got 90 minutes here, why am I going to hold myself back? Why am I going to limit myself?'
"Now I am being compared to so many top players, and if you want to be a top player you need to be in the game all the time. I am thinking now that, when I go out on the football pitch, I am being constantly watched and I need to try and be the best player on the pitch every time I go out there."
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