Wilson: I hope to represent England in next year’s World Cup and achieve the 100-goal goal in the Premier League

West Ham United forward Wilson was interviewed. He talked about rejecting Saudi Arabia's high-paying invitation, mentoring young player Freddy Potts, and why he still has not given up his goal of being selected for next year's World Cup squad.

Some players have gone on vacation in the past half month, but the 33-year-old you are still paying close attention to the England team's World Cup preliminaries. Do you still have hope of participating in next year's World Cup?

Wilson: Yes, although some may think it is unrealistic. But after I went through so many hardships, came back after two serious cruciate ligament injuries, and represented the national team in the 2022 World Cup, I view this matter differently.

You also have a goal, which is to join the Premier League's "100-goal club" (currently 10 goals are needed)

Wilson: I grew up watching some of the people on this list, such as Drogba. If you can surpass them, it will be a very special feeling. My journey has not been smooth. Xia Chuang rejected Saudi Arabia’s high-paying invitation because I wanted to stay in the Premier League and achieve the goal of 100 goals. This is my motivation.

West Ham has won two consecutive games before the international break. Although it is still in the relegation zone, the atmosphere is much more positive. Fans love Potts' energy in midfield. What do you think of this young man?

Wilson: He performed very well this week, although he felt a little guilty after missing a pass that he shouldn't have. I told him: "You played great, relax, it was just a pass, remember those good shots."

I am willing to share my experience to help young people. I’m a big believer in self-talk, and sometimes I talk to myself on the court, which may seem weird to others, but it keeps me focused.

Eddie Howe said that you should be a coach in the future because he saw your leadership. Do you have this plan?

Wilson: I don’t have this idea at the moment, and I don’t force it—I don’t want to do something I don’t love. After retiring, I may spend more time with my family to make up for the sacrifices I made before. Maybe do some television or coaching, but coaching is the last option on my mind right now.

Your injuries are often discussed by the outside world.

Wilson: As long as I still have the fighting spirit, I will prove myself on the court. The sound of others talking about my injury is a kind of motivation. Salah is the same age as me and no one thinks he should retire, including me.

I think my sports life may be longer, because I missed a lot of games due to injury, and the physical wear and tear is less. I do experience darkness every time I get hurt, and I ask myself “Is this the end?” But the warrior in me never gives up.

When you started at Coventry City, was there a culture shock facing experienced defenders? Who is the toughest defender you have ever faced?

Wilson: Wes Morgan and Rudiger are the most difficult to deal with. Rudiger was annoying - he would pinch, heel, and talk trash in my ear, so I just tried to ignore him. Now with VAR, it’s hard to hide small moves like that. The most difficult thing about him is his mentality.

I heard that you have an app that displays inspirational quotes on your phone, and you also have a lot of art collections?

Wilson: Now it says "You're the best." I also intercepted a sentence before: "Never forget the three types of people: those who help you in times of difficulty, those who leave you, and those who put you in trouble." I have collected some of my favorite works, including paintings by Banksy, Emin and Hirst, which is also a diversification of my investment portfolio.

A few months before the 2022 World Cup, you wrote "World Cup" in your diary, even though you had not been in the national team for three years at that time. Do you have the same mentality now towards the national team coached by Tuchel?

Wilson: When you truly believe in yourself, others will think "you're crazy." But those who watched me along the way know that most of the things I said came true later. Every time I was not favored, I came back. I wrote down that I wanted to go to the World Cup, and I still do the same now.

As long as the final roster is not announced, I believe that as long as we continue to compete, we can show our best self. It may seem far away, but football changes so fast that a few weeks can feel like a long time, let alone half a year.