Ok, part II:
Gets asked about some of the trophies on display in his house, and how it feels to win trophies. Says it’s addictive, but not really different to a normal mindset. Only in the final few rounds of winning Ligue 1 he felt a bit of tension waking up in the morning realising the game that day needed to be won or the whole season would be lost.
Says playing Messi was only akward before the game, but once out on the pitch it’s like playing anybody else.
Gets asked how his mentality is different to other players’. Answers that at Ajax youth every year players get dropped, and at the time he thought it was because they were simply not good enough, but now he realises it was because they couldn’t get the basics right of giving everything all the time, arriving on time for training, etc. He says from a young age he got thaught to put the extra effort in. For him as a defender this means doing everything in his power to stop the team conceding or losing. Because he cannot accept these things he says he “automatically” succeeds at preventing it. Says it’s a combination of hard work and a strong desire to reach your targets and a bit of luck.
Says the 6 months leading up to his transfer were very stressful. Luckily managed to stay focused on his football, but was chaotic off the pitch because of the realisation that everything was going to change in life, wanting it so bad, but not being in control of the situation. Says it was his choice between Milan and us, and a difficult decision, but the fact he had always dreamt of playing in the PL was the deciding factor. Confirms that the owners of our club contacted him directly.
Looking at his Sunday roast says: “this is not a great meal for a professional sports person”
Says he was obviously disappointed to miss out on the World Cup as he felt he was in contention, but he found it quite easy to move on because he’s only just starting and there were strong alternatives for his position. Says it helps he’s happy being in the PL and how the club is performing, so there was no reason to be downbeat about it. Says if he keeps doing well these things will happen eventually. As a boy he dreamt of playing for the national team, same as playing in the PL, so he’s halfway there.
Asked about criticism on social media, he shrugs it off and says he doesn’t know these people so why should he care? Says he doesn’t know if Koeman will give him a chance, but he will just continue to work hard and hope for the best.
Gets asked where the dream ends? Answers to have played in a World Cup and winning the Champions League (since he’s already played in it with Lille).