'I want to show what I can do again'

Daley Sinkgraven shared his views on…

…his first impressions of Bayer 04: "The first few days have been great – the lads have made me feel at home and given me loads of support, and obviously, Peter Bosz and Hendrie Krüzen know me from their time at Ajax. I'm really impressed with the training facilities and the pitches here are in excellent condition."

…his decision to join Bayer 04: "I was convinced by the whole project at Bayer 04: The way football's played here, the competitions the club will be in the coming season and also the way the team played in the second half of last season. We're in the Champions League and that's great. But the Bundesliga is also a big challenge."

…his past, difficult year at Ajax: "To be honest, it was almost two years that I was sidelined due to my knee injury – it was a really hard time for me. After the first injury in April 2017,  I was under treatment for about six months. When I was fit again, something went wrong again in a game a month later and I was out of action again unfortunately and then I had to have an operation. I'm happy everything went well with the op and I was able to make my comeback at the end of last year. The season was halfway through when I returned. That certainly didn't make it any easier to get back into the starting eleven – although the team was playing really well and I was in great shape. Not an easy situation and definitely one of the reasons why I wanted to change clubs."“

…how he feels training under Peter Bosz again: "I think it's absolutely brilliant! I like the way he acts, the way he works and the training. And, of course, I like his philosophy of football – pressing forward and pressing the ball. Peter Bosz was one of the main reasons I came here."

…on contact with Peter Bosz: "Actually, we weren't in contact anymore after he left Ajax. When I was injured, he called me to see how I was doing and how my recovery was going. That was the only contact up to this summer…"

…possible advantages of having already worked with Peter Bosz: "Of course, there are advantages of knowing a coach and speaking the same language. If I don't understand a drill then the coach or Hendrie (Krüzen, ed.) explain it to me in Dutch. That makes it a lot easier. But there are a few drills I know from our time together at Ajax."

…his conversion from an attacking midfielder to left-back: "At some point, Peter Bosz took me out of midfield and played me at left-back. I see myself as a more attacking player and that's why I was initially rather taken aback (he laughs). But you can get forward as a left back or move into midfield. I really like it now."

…Peter Bosz’s powers of persuasion: "He told me the story of a Barcelona player back then but I can't remember his name. A left winger was turned into a left-back  and he did so well that he played for Barcelona for years and years in that position. Peter Bosz said to me back then that he'd like to try me out at left-back. It was in the cup and I did a very decent job and then I kept on playing there (he laughs). But the change was very hard at the start – above all, the defensive side was obviously a huge change from the more attacking position. Going forward when we had the ball the coach allowed me the freedom to do what I thought was right."

…the statement by Peter Bosz that he could be world class: "Yes, I was really happy he said that. It's a great compliment. We'll have to see if I can make it. I was injured for almost two years but clearly I want to build on my performances from then and I want to show what I can do again."

…the Bundesliga: "I think the Bundesliga is a tougher competition in comparison to the Eredivise. Ajax and PSV are the two dominant clubs in the Netherlands – the Bundesliga looks much more balanced in my eyes  as there are no bad teams and certainly no easy games."

…on future opponents like Kingsley Coman or Jadon Sancho: "They are two great players without a doubt. Playing against them is a great challenge but it doesn't worry me at all."

…time to get back to top form: "It's very difficult to say. I only trained with the team for the fourth time today. I hope it doesn't take long."

…his strengths and weaknesses: "I think my passing and build-up play as well as my  pace count amongst my biggest strengths. But I know I still have a lot to learn. I have to work on my physical strength above all – also to get used to the faster tempo of the Bundesliga."

…his personal and team targets: "I was out injured for almost two years and now I want to play as much as possible – ideally every game of course. But success for the team is the priority. I'd like to go as far as we can with the team in the Champions League and the cup and, if possible, win the Bundesliga too. I know how difficult it is but, on the other hand, nobody thought two years ago  that Ajax would get to the final of the Europa League or the semi-finals of the Champions League this season…“