Skelly: Flying next to Henderson or Saka, scoring at Wembley is the most memorable thing for me

October 11th: Since being called up to the England national team for the first time in March this year, Skelly has quickly emerged. The defender answered a series of questions about life in the training camp as England head into their latest World Cup qualifying campaign.

What essential items do you bring in your suitcase?

I will give you three answers: cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen! I think this is required. Look good, feel good and perform well. These are essential.

What about luxury goods?

I am not the kind of person who pursues luxury goods. Maybe bring some perfume to make sure you smell good. Might squirt a little when I go to see my family after the game.

How do you spend your free time in training camp?

I like to keep a diary. I like to record my thoughts and write down some of my reflections on the day. This is how I spend my time. I really enjoy writing and I find it helps me calm down and focus. You have a lot of thoughts every day, and it’s good to write them down. I’m very focused on mindset, am I thinking positive things? When you think positive thoughts, good things will happen.

Who would you choose to sit next to on a plane or bus heading to an England game?

It depends on my mood. If I wanted to sleep, I would sit next to Henderson! But I would say Saka. We were relaxed and could have a laugh together. If I want to play UNO, I'll probably sit next to them, but if I'm not playing, I'll be farther away from them, and sometimes it's so crazy that I have to sit back.

How would you describe your personality in this team? How would your teammates describe you?

I guess they would say I'm pretty confident and humorous, but I can switch gears when I need to. Sure, I can joke around with my teammates, but when it comes time to work, I know how to adjust. I think they respect that and I'm very professional.

What was your favorite food at training camp?

I like the avocado served here. I make sure to have it for lunch and dinner.

What is your favorite part of training?

That's when we compete with each other. That's something I take very seriously, competing against direct competitors. Everyone here is at a high level.

Please describe your pre-race routine?

Nothing special. Just staying focused and making sure I'm aware of everything around me.

What music do you listen to before a game?

I don’t really listen to music before a game. I like to get lost in my thoughts before a game, let my mind wander, and do some breathing exercises. If we win the game I will be happy and can listen to anything after the game.

Please describe your post-game routine?

Replenish energy and eat.

What do you like most about training camp?

It is the knowledge and experience learned from all team members. I am someone who always wants to learn and improve. I think it's very beneficial for me to have these people around me to provide me with experience, knowledge and wisdom. I learned that every day counts. The way they treat training, even if it's only a few days and the number of trainings is not many, every day is important and every detail is critical.

How would you sum up the feeling of wearing an England jersey and representing your country?

This is a great honor. This is an important moment - you can't take it lightly. You are wearing this jersey for your country, so you should wear it with pride and honour, and I feel that way every time I put on the jersey. This feeling can only be understood by those who have actually experienced it, so it is really special.

What is your favorite moment from your England career?

The first time he faced a full crowd at Wembley Stadium and scored. This is something I've always dreamed of and I've always believed that if you can picture it in your mind, you can achieve it. So that’s what I did before the game and it really worked out. I'm so grateful that this happened. I remember I was almost offside, so I immediately looked at the linesman and he didn't raise his flag. I made eye contact with him for a while to see if he would raise the flag, but he didn’t, and I thought to myself, “Oh my God.” The relief was incredible.

As England continue their World Cup qualifying campaign this month, what is your favorite memory of watching England at the World Cup?

Tripier's free kick against Croatia in 2018. It was crazy to watch that goal live - the way the players celebrated, knowing now how important that moment was and what it meant to the country at the time. It was amazing to see that scene. I was at home on the couch eating popcorn!

If your younger self gave you one piece of advice now, what would it be?

Enjoy the moment because time flies. Cherish the moment, don't wish time will pass quickly, live in the moment. This is what I want to say the most.