http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2014/world-cup-2014-adam-lallana-3667411
Just over three years ago, Adam Lallana was playing for Southampton in League One in a 0-0 draw at Hartlepool United.
Lallana, who is pressing for a place in the starting line-up against Italy on Saturday, recalled Rickie Lambert and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were in the team, too.
"When you talk about the journey we've been on, it feels like a remarkable achievement. When we played Italy at Euro 2012 and lost on penalties, I was watching it with friends at home," Lallana said.
"Two years ago, I'd never have imagined I'd be out here in Brazil at the World Cup.
"It wasn't even a target then, either. Everyone dreams of playing for their country at a World Cup, but I wasn't thinking about it then.
"When I got my call-ups at the back end of last year for the Chile and Germany games, that was probably when I realistically thought I had a chance if I maintained my form and played well at club level.
"I'm just going to keep enjoying it and take it all in my stride. I want to impress at every opportunity and do allI can in training this week to get into the first 11."
"Raheem's a great athlete," Lallana, who has been linked with moves to Liverpool and Manchester United, said. "The more we see him out there on the pitch, the better it is for the country.
The Southampton skipper , who carries a personalised washbag decorated with pictures of his baby son, Arthur, is used to fighting for recognition, though.
He has overcome plenty of obstacles in his career, enduring surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat in his late teens.
He stayed in the shadows for a while when other Southampton graduates like Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain shot to prominence. Now, at the age of 26, his talent for creativity and vision is finally being acknowledged.
"I feel like it's an achievement to be here but it's not enough. I want to play, keep working hard in training and do all I can to force myself in to the first eleven."
Lallana is relaxed and confident with the media, too, maybe because his harshest critic is his sister, Natalie.
Natalie and Lallana's dad will be at all England's games. "She's very clued in," Lallana said. "If I have a bad game, she'll know. There'll be no hiding place."
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