Here is our first interview, of course it had to be with Luuk de Jong who is proving every penny of his 15 Million Euros Price Tag:
The former Twente striker Luuk de Jong was brought in for 15 million Euros.
Here is what he had to say about his new club, his goals and living in Germany when BMG interviewed him earlier.
BMG: Have you found your way already?
Luuk de Jong: Everything is wonderful! I have been received well. And in Roel Brouwers I have a Dutchman as my room-mate, who is making it much easier for me to find my way.
BMG: You are losing your nightly sleep due to Roel Brouwers snoring according to our information. True?
Luuk de Jong: Well, as a matter of fact I have woken up a couple of times, because of it. But, I don’t care. He is really helping me a lot. Especially in terms of learning German.
BMG: So, he is your German teacher?
Luuk de Jong: He, and especially German TV. Watching a lot of telly really helps…
BMG: Why on earth have you chosen to join Borussia?
Luuk de Jong: My dad was in Gladbach a couple of times, and he waxed lyrical about training conditions, the stadium and the fans. The city is only 1.5 hours away from my home town Doetinchem. I am a family person, I need to be surrounded by my friends. I’m searching for a house that I can rent in Gladbach, however. Commuting back and forth would be too annoying.
BMG: Are you actually as good as your predecessor Marco Reus, who has joined Dortmund? He scored 18 goals last season.
Luuk de Jong: Marco scored 18 goals last season, which is a great achievement. But, I’m striker and I certainly want to score. Predicting the amount of goals I’m going to score is difficult, because it is my first season.
BMG: Is it easier to score goals in the Netherlands?
Luuk de Jong: Certainly! The standard isn’t as good as in Germany. Every game is a first class match in the Bundesliga.
BMG: Your fellow Dutchman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has found his way in Germany, and was the league’s top scorer last season. Are you going to be the ”new Huntelaar” of the Bundesliga?
Luuk de Jong: Pah, that is a mean question! Klaas is a fantastic striker, the best poacher in Germany. I would love to score as frequently and be as good as him for sure. But, I’m only 21 years old, and I can learn a lot from him in terms of his technique, his movement and his ruthlessness in front of goal.
BMG: Would you prefer to be crowned champion, or to be the league’s top scorer?
Luuk de Jong: Hello? Champion? That is too much to hope for at the moment. I’d gladly give up being the league’s top scorer if it mean that we’d be topping the table.
BMG : So, Gladbach haven’t got what it takes to win the title?
Luuk de Jong: The club has taken the next step towards the top with its transfers. But, we should stay realistic! Maybe we’ll be able to win a title during the next five seasons. I haven’t signed until 2017 without any long-term goals in sight…
BMG: You could be crowned World Cup champion with the Netherlands in 2014…
Luuk de Jong: Loads of stuff can happen before 2014. But, it is my goal to become a regular in the Dutch national team set-up. I consider it to be an advantage that our coach wants to build a side around younger players.
BMG: In what regard is living Germany better than living in the Netherlands?
Luuk de Jong: The Autobahn, for sure! You are able to drive as quickly as you want in Germany. I’m currently driving a VW, but I’ll be buying a new car very soon. I don’t know which car I’ll purchase, all I know is that I’ll be able to drive a lot faster then.