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In between the tough training sessions in Florida, our players are getting the chance to speak to the media. Here we caught up with Jean-Paul Boëtius ahead of the two friendlies on Sunday evening. The Dutchman is getting stuck in at the camp and he believes the conditions at the IMG Academy are perfect for the team: “The level of professionalism at the academy is outstanding. I don’t go in the weight rooms all that often normally, but here I very much do!”, he joked. Djanga also discussed the spirit within the team, his first few months in Berlin and his aims for 2023.
Jean-Paul Boëtius on…
…the first days of training: We have acclimatised well and we’re also doing well in training. The atmosphere not just here, but since I arrived at Hertha, has been great. We of course take it as seriously as is necessary but we also manage to have fun. I was awake quite early on the first couple of nights but the conditions here are superb. The level of professionalism at the academy is outstanding. I don’t go in the weight rooms all that often normally, but here I very much do! (laughs).
…the little downtime: We work here twice a day and we have meetings, treatment and meals together. When I do get time off, I talk to my family and friends on the phone or watch a bit of Game of Thrones. I didn’t get into the series originally but it’s a lot better the second time around! (grins). I also went to a nice restaurant in Tampa with Jonjoe Kenny and Chidera Ejuke on our night off.
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We spend even more time as a tight-knit group at the training camp than we normally do so it almost feels like a family[<]
…the atmosphere in the team: We get along really well with each other. We spend even more time as a tight-knit group at the training camp than we normally do so it almost feels like a family. That’s our strength. If you get on well with each other then things work better on the pitch. We are able to tell each other how it is and flesh things out. Dodi Lukébakio, for example, likes to listen to Gospel in the dressing room, which we thought was unusual at first, but now we all sing along! (laughs).
…the past year: After last season I was a free agent for the first time. It was a conscious decision but it wasn’t as easy as I thought. Hertha was the right move for me. I joined the team a little later but then I got the testicular cancer diagnosis. They were difficult days but fortunately the good news came quickly. The support from the club, my teammates and the fans was incredible. I was and still am a positive person and I don’t let myself get down. You can complain about anything but there are many people worse off than me.
…goals for the new year: The team goals are the main thing. We want to get more points than we did in the first half of the season. We’ve been missing the small details. They are what we are now focussed on because we aren’t where we want to be. It is important for us to be even more determined. We have great players but it’s all well and good passing the ball around 20 times but in the end that doesn’t help us. Scoring goals and defending well until the final whistle is what we need. The late goals we have conceded have been irritating. I also need to improve, zero goals and zero assists clearly isn’t enough.
…his other roles in the team: I also aim to help out the coach and the other players a little bit. Also because I speak other languages. It’s not always fun, sometimes you have to shout (laughs)! All in all, I want to play an even more important role, both on and off the pitch. I can play anywhere in midfield- as a six, an eight, a ten or as a pivot. In the end it is up to the coach. Sandro Schwarz is an active coach who always puts everything in every session and game. He always leads and that’s what we need.
