Daley, what would you describe as being typically Dutch?
We Dutch people are very down-to-earth and we want to be simple people without any extravagance.
What do you particularly love about your homeland?
Of course, my family and friends. All the people around my hometown of Assen are very nice and helpful. But I also love the food because it's something special: There are tourists who only come here because of that.
Which place in the Netherlands should Bayer 04 fans definitely go and visit?
There's only one answer: Amsterdam. I can only recommend anybody who hasn't been to the city to make the trip. I love the city and the people there who make our capital so special.
Do you have a secret tip for tourists?
In the summer, you definitely have to go to Giethoorn, which is known as the Venice of the North because of all its canals and waterways and it's definitely one of the most romantic places in our country. It's a small place near Drenthe and close to my birthplace Assen.
Let's move onto you and your likes. What's your favourite Dutch dish?
Even if it doesn't come from the Netherlands, I really like Erwtensoep (pea soup, ed.). But I also like eating other Dutch specialties like croquettes, bitterballs, rissoles and pancakes. That makes me feel very close to my home country.
Do you have a favourite Dutch artist?
Yes, the designer Pablo Lucker. He designed my suit for the Life after Football fashion award that I was nominated for in 2017.
Who are your 04 best Dutch players of all time?
Johann Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.
Is there anything about your fellow countrymen that you don't like that much?
I'll have to think about that… In my opinion, a lot of Dutch people are not patient enough whether they're in traffic, in their daily routine or wherever. For a lot of people in lots of areas things can't happen quick enough.
To finish off, can you tell us… What's the least known thing about you Dutch people?
On birthdays or other celebrations, we sit in a circle of chairs and keep hold of them for the duration of the event.
90 football-loving girls and special support in autumnal weather: The third Bayer 04 Women’s team junior talent day was a hive of activity at the Kurtekotten Performance Centre on Sunday, 26 October. Under the watchful eyes of Sofie Zdebel and Charlotte Voll, talented youngsters born between 2010 and 2017 showed off their skills on the ball - and received valuable tips from the professionals.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without midfielder Ezequiel Fernández for the next few games. The Argentinian suffered a ligament injury in his left knee during the Bundesliga match against SC Freiburg (2-0) on Sunday 26 October.
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"We left everything on the pitch and fought every minute. It's all the nicer to be rewarded for that in the end and to celebrate a title!" declared Marc Landwehr after the end of a thrilling final against RB Leipzig. The #B04eSports team won the final of this first showdown of the new VBL Club Championship season against the current champions in two high-scoring duels. They had previously defeated SC Paderborn 07, the 2023/24 double winners, in the semi-finals.
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The Werkself travel to Manchester City for matchday 5 in the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign. The match at the top English club is on Tuesday, 25 November, with the kick-off at 21:00 CET. Read on for information on ticket sales.
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Three points, a clean sheet and two comebacks: "That's as good as it gets," said goalkeeper Mark Flekken in praising the Leverkusen performance post-match. Goalscorer Ernest Poku also rated the success as "really important after the defeat against PSG and looking forward to the Pokal." Aleix Garcia was once again the midfield maestro in a strong Werkself side that earned a positive response from the media after the game. The Werkself review.
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