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Sokratis | In my own words

You've heard me say it many times before but it's true: I like the zero in the defence.

That's always been the case and it's why I chose to be a centre back, because it's my best position in football. I think I started playing there properly when I was 12 or 13 years old. Nearly 20 years later, I think it was the right decision.

When I was growing up, I studied the Italian style of defending. I'd watch defenders like Paolo Maldini and Fabio Cannavaro. Roberto Ayala was also very good. Then as I got older, I'd look at players like Carles Puyol.