Keke, let’s not start with sports. are you a good singer
No (smiles). But I can imagine what the point of this question is.
You are new to the team. And new players have the honor of singing their debut at the first team night. Do you already have a plan?
I’m still thinking about what to do. The older players have already told me that I have to sing. Multiple (laughs). I can’t get out of the number.
You definitely made your sporting debut as a member of the licensed team. You scored directly in the first friendly at SC Spelle-Venhaus. What did the gate mean to you?
Of course, it was just a test match. But it’s still a nice feeling when you score as a striker.
At Schalke, the Knappenschmiede will prepare you well for what comes after the U19s. I am very grateful for that.
How have the previous training sessions gone for you?
I can handle the stress well and feel fit. Of course, the heat bothers us all. But you just have to bite your way through it. Of course it’s a certain adjustment when you come up from youth. But at Schalke, the Knappenschmiede will prepare you well for what comes after the U19s. I am very grateful for that.
You moved to the Knappenschmiede two years ago from Werder Bremen’s junior academy. Why did you decide to move from north to west?
Norbert Elgert played the biggest role in my decision to join Schalke. I really wanted to play under this coach. In addition, I was looking for a new challenge away from home. Also to stand on your own two feet. In the first U19 year I lived at the Knappenschmiede boarding school, and then in the second season in a boarding school apartment. For example, I was helped to do the laundry, and I was also able to eat at the boarding school. I’ve now moved into my first apartment of my own.
You mentioned Norbert Elgert, who has paved the way for many talented people in the past. What distinguishes him?
In addition to his football expertise, it is above all his character that impresses me. He’s a great person who wants to help you mature as an athlete and as a person. The coach not only teaches you how best to behave on the pitch in this or that situation. He also keeps an eye on what is happening before and after training or games. He always wants the best for you. Whenever Mr. Elgert addressed me more clearly, I always knew that he meant no harm. On the contrary, he always wanted to help me. I am very grateful to him for the past two years in the U19s, from which I took a lot with me for my further sporting career, but also for my life.
With Mike Büskens as liaison coach, there is someone on the coaching team who primarily looks after the young players. how does he help you
It is important, especially as a young player, that you have someone you can relate to. Mr. Büskens does it perfectly. He talks to us a lot, gives tips or suggestions on certain situations in training or in the follow-up to the games. Our head trainer also gives me feedback from time to time during the sessions, praises good actions or says if I could have solved a situation better.
With Simon Terodde, the top second division goalscorer of all time is part of the squad. Sebastian Polter has also scored many goals in his career so far. What can you learn from your two experienced colleagues?
I can generally take something from every teammate, no matter what position. Certainly a little more from Simon and Polti, since they are also strikers. I observe how they position themselves on the pitch, how they assert themselves in duels, their shots at goal, their nose in front of the box. And I also look at their preparation and follow-up of the training. Because that is also part of football.
I am a young player who is still at the very beginning of his career.
After the sessions, fans keep asking you for autographs or photos…
It’s still an unfamiliar feeling, I’m not the veteran yet (laughs). But if I can make our fans happy with a signature or a photo, I’m very happy to do so.
do you have a role model
Ronaldo!
Cristiano Ronaldo or Ronaldo, the former Brazilian superstar?
Cristiano Ronaldo. The other Ronaldo played before my time. I wasn’t even born when he shot Brazil to the world title in 2002 (laughs).
The trademark of both Ronaldos are goals. What are your goals for the season?
I want to improve every day and learn to offer myself in training. What will become of it remains to be seen. I am a young player who is still at the very beginning of his career. I let everything come my way and will give everything every day.
You’ve played twice for the licensed team in the past two seasons. In the second division against St. Pauli and in the Bundesliga against Hoffenheim – both were away games. How much does it tingle in your feet at the thought that a game in the VELTINS Arena will follow in the near future?
Well, there was actually a home game (laughs). At least that’s how it felt before the 15,000 Schalke fans who traveled to Sinsheim at Easter. I still get goosebumps when I think about the moments after the final whistle when we were in front of the corner. Unfortunately we didn’t win the game. And yet the fans pushed us. When I think that I’ll be able to experience moments like this, at best after a win, maybe soon in the VELTINS Arena, it triggers anticipation in me. As a spectator, I’ve experienced the atmosphere in our stadium several times.
What particularly impresses you there?
The kettle trembles as soon as the game kicks off. At times, when you score goals, you have the feeling that the roof is about to fly off because the fans are cheering so loudly. For example, I remember Kenan Karaman’s goal to make it 2-2 in the derby. It was gigantic what happened after the goal and also after the final whistle.
At times you have the feeling that the roof is about to fly off with goals.
You too could be on the ball for the first time in the VELTINS Arena against FC Twente in the final test before the start of the season. Will your family be watching live at the stadium?
I don’t know yet because my parents are self-employed and it’s not always easy to plan appointments. Basically, they always try that they can see my games. I’ll ask her later…
… when you call her?
No, that’s not necessary. They also came to Mittersill to see how I was doing. They also want to watch the friendlies against FC Copenhagen and Gornik Zabrze. By the way, Simon Terodde’s father is also here. I saw him training and Simon told me about it too.
2023-07-10 14:10:10
#Keke #Topp #number
