You were already on the pitch for the 26th time with your club this season. How do you go about it?
“I touch wood. I'm also a little lucky. I take care of myself a lot. I pay a lot of attention to my body, my sleep, my hydration, my nutrition, my recovery, etc. All this shadow work allowed me to achieve my current performance. ”
We've been told you weren't as professional when you were younger…
“I think above all that I didn't have the same equipment. I didn't have the financial means to hire a physio or a chef. As soon as I had the means, I surrounded myself. ”
I have a large team around me: a chef, a physiotherapist, a coach, a personal assistant, etc.
Do you have a chef at home?
“Yes. I have a great team around me to allow me to perform at my best. I have a sort of personal assistant who coordinates everything for me. I have a plan and I follow it. I don't want to lose a day of work. Everything is done in agreement with the club and depending on the training load and the match schedule. ”
Are you physically one of the best at PSV?
“I know I have the lowest body fat. I'm at 5.3%. It's very low (Editor's note: like that of a cyclist or a marathon runner). ”
You have been an attraction in the last two transfer windows with rumors sending you to PSG. How do you resist the call of such a club?
“My agents give me good advice. We know why we chose to stay at PSV. I decided not to leave. No matter what the offer, I remain true to my principles. ”
So you didn't have to think twice when Brentford dropped almost 40 million to bring you in at the end of August?
“It was very clear. Afterwards, a player who doesn't come from my environment might have been tempted to sign. PSV also showed class and never pushed me to leave. ”
And you received a better contract in the process…
“It’s a form of respect from the club. ”
PSV is an ogre this season in the league with 45 points out of 45. How do you explain this success?
“We have a very healthy relationship in the group. We lift each other up. If it's bad, everyone says it's bad. And the opposite is also true. ”
PSV also showed class and never pushed me to leave.
What did you learn from your coach Peter Bosz?
“He shaped my personality. He taught me not to be happy with myself. Even after a good match, he's the first to say 'this and that wasn't good' and that makes me feel good. ”
Your plan is to be champions with PSV and have a great Champions League campaign. Afterwards, you will have achieved what you wanted in the Netherlands?
“I haven’t really thought about it. I focus on the championship and the desire to be champion. ”
Do you have a dream club?
“At the moment, it’s PSV. (laughs)”
How do you judge your progress in one year?
“I had difficulties when I arrived at the A’s but that’s how you grow. Over the last year, I have progressed a lot. I never thought everything would go so quickly when I arrived here, at PSV, four years ago. ”
Another Belgian was in the spotlight against Arsenal this week: Yorbe Vertessen who was on loan to the Union last season…
“He struggled a bit because of injuries but he’s a great player. When he is physically well, there is not a team against which he is not a match. ”
