Vlap: "I am a team player who likes to be the end station"

FRIDAY, 5 JULY 2019, 14:13 - lajoya
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INTERVIEWS After addressing the press and the photo opportunity, Michel Vlap answered questions from the journalists present. He did that too with a disarming smile and lots of humor. When the name Hans Vanaken fell, the new acquisition made a mistake.


Why do you choose for the Belgian competition and not the Dutch one?
"It is a big step for me. For 17 years I have played at the familiar nest. But I wanted to take on a challenge. Of course Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord are very nice clubs, AZ is also added. But I I think Ajax is very high on this moment I wanted to go to a club where I feel like they really want me and where they have a clear plan with me. Anderlecht has always been a top club, now it is just something less, but they want to go back to the top. "

How was your first training this afternoon?
"It is a lot of steps ahead of Heerenveen here. Much more professional. You often read that the pace is much higher and the ball goes much faster, but that is really true. I noticed that immediately. At Heerenveen, I usually had some time to play the ball, now four big boys ran up to me right away, it took some getting used to, but I also played in the Dutch youth teams, so I know what it's like to adapt, I think I get the time here for that. "

What does Anderlecht stand for you?
"The largest club in Belgium."
Outside the cliché answer.
"When I was asked what I think of the Belgian league, I replied that I like Anderlecht. Anderlecht stands for offensive football and that fits me perfectly. I like to score and like to give a lot of assists. So I hope we have the ball a lot and play offensive football. "

Have you been in contact with other Belgian clubs?
"No, because I just wanted to go to the biggest club in Belgium."

What goes through you when Vincent Kompany suddenly hangs on the phone?
"Ha, that's funny. I was naturally flattered by the interest. One day I woke up at 11 am and my morning voice never sounds very good. But I got a call from the UK. I think 'what's this' I take the call: "With Vincent Kompany". I was shocked. But it was very interesting and a very nice conversation. The first thing I did afterwards was to call my dad. I said "you never believe who I just got on the phone "And he was just as surprised as I was. Afterwards we often had contact and those were really nice conversations."

How do you describe yourself as a football player?
"I am tall, so people may see me as lanky on the field. But they can be mistaken about that. I am quick with the ball and I quickly turn away. I have good running ability to get into the box and last season I often succeeded in being in the right place. I score goals easily and I can play well together with the people in front of me and the two midfielders behind me I am a team player who likes to be the end station."

In Belgium, many say that you are a Dutch Hans Vanaken. Do you know him?
"I think that has been a very famous football player here. I have heard a lot from him, but I ...
Marc Coucke: "He is still playing"
Vlap: "Fifth class or ..."
Coucke: "No, at Club Brugge. You will still see him."
Vlap: "Oh. Cut this out. I don't know every player yet, but I've already heard his name. It must be a very good player."

You end up in a team under construction and are the second transfer after Kompany. Does that bring extra pressure?
"Extra pressure, you always have a certain pressure in football. Of course, Anderlecht stands for prizes. When I play, I will do everything to win the game. But whether you are here or at another club: there is always pressure. Of course we know we have to perform this season. That will also be clear to the other players. "



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