Things change quickly in football. Just ask Julian Brandt. The Leverkusen youngster struggled for him Christmas but has had a hand in nine goals over the course of the last five matchdays. The 19-year-old has had an excellent few weeks and spoke to DFB.de ahead of his side’s clash with Hertha BSC (18:30 CEST).
DFB.de: Are you a fair weather footballer, Julian Brandt?
Julian Brandt: I wouldn’t say so – I’m quite good when it’s rainy too! The weather hasn’t influenced my recent form, put it that way.
DFB.de: Do you think that your performances and the team’s good form are linked?
Brandt: Definitely. It boosts you – winning games is better for your confidence than losing them. We were in a tough position a few weeks ago but things have fallen into place at the right time.
DFB.de: In recent weeks the press have been raving about you. Do you pay much attention to what they say?
Brandt: I don’t read much to be honest. It’s not something I concern myself with but obviously my mates see it and tell me about what people have said. I’m certainly not the sort of guy to Google myself!
DFB.de: How do you keep your feet on the ground?
Brandt: I spend a lot of time with my friends and family. The majority of them live in Bremen; I go to visit as often as possible. They constantly remind me about where I came from and that I’ve not always been in such a fortunate position. They help make it possible for me to live a relatively normal life.
DFB.de: Your father is your agent. How did that come about?
Brandt: I’ve always been of the opinion that parents know what’s best for their children. He also has an understanding of the business side of the game so he’s someone that I put a lot of faith in. He helps me a lot when it comes to contracts or moving clubs. As it stands there is no reason for this arrangement to change.
DFB.de: What are your career goals?
Brandt: I don’t look too far into the future because I’m not very good at planning things. I only look as far as my current contract. I have a deal here until 2019, which is still three years away. Who knows what will happen after that. I’m not going to come out and say that I’ll be playing for Leverkusen for the next 80 years! I certainly want to win something here though. I’m enjoying life here currently and that’s all that matters as far as I’m concerned.
DFB.de: Would Champions League qualification be the perfect way to end a tough campaign?
Brandt: We have a great chance to reach the tournament today against Hertha but it’s not going to be an easy match. It would be great to end a season full of peaks and troughs in a positive manner.
DFB.de: And finally, what about the national team? Are you hoping to go to the Euros, or are the Olympic Games a more realistic goal?
Brandt: As it stands Rio is my aim, however, you never know. If I got to choose obviously I’d say the Euros, but it doesn’t work like that. The Olympics would certainly be an excellent experience for me. I’m not letting myself get stressed out by this situation. I’ll go wherever I’m asked.
created by mmc/mb
Things change quickly in football. Just ask Julian Brandt. The Leverkusen youngster struggled for him Christmas but has had a hand in nine goals over the course of the last five matchdays. The 19-year-old has had an excellent few weeks and spoke to DFB.de ahead of his side’s clash with Hertha BSC (18:30 CEST).
DFB.de: Are you a fair weather footballer, Julian Brandt?
Julian Brandt: I wouldn’t say so – I’m quite good when it’s rainy too! The weather hasn’t influenced my recent form, put it that way.
DFB.de: Do you think that your performances and the team’s good form are linked?
Brandt: Definitely. It boosts you – winning games is better for your confidence than losing them. We were in a tough position a few weeks ago but things have fallen into place at the right time.
DFB.de: In recent weeks the press have been raving about you. Do you pay much attention to what they say?
Brandt: I don’t read much to be honest. It’s not something I concern myself with but obviously my mates see it and tell me about what people have said. I’m certainly not the sort of guy to Google myself!
DFB.de: How do you keep your feet on the ground?
Brandt: I spend a lot of time with my friends and family. The majority of them live in Bremen; I go to visit as often as possible. They constantly remind me about where I came from and that I’ve not always been in such a fortunate position. They help make it possible for me to live a relatively normal life.
DFB.de: Your father is your agent. How did that come about?
Brandt: I’ve always been of the opinion that parents know what’s best for their children. He also has an understanding of the business side of the game so he’s someone that I put a lot of faith in. He helps me a lot when it comes to contracts or moving clubs. As it stands there is no reason for this arrangement to change.
DFB.de: What are your career goals?
Brandt: I don’t look too far into the future because I’m not very good at planning things. I only look as far as my current contract. I have a deal here until 2019, which is still three years away. Who knows what will happen after that. I’m not going to come out and say that I’ll be playing for Leverkusen for the next 80 years! I certainly want to win something here though. I’m enjoying life here currently and that’s all that matters as far as I’m concerned.
DFB.de: Would Champions League qualification be the perfect way to end a tough campaign?
Brandt: We have a great chance to reach the tournament today against Hertha but it’s not going to be an easy match. It would be great to end a season full of peaks and troughs in a positive manner.
DFB.de: And finally, what about the national team? Are you hoping to go to the Euros, or are the Olympic Games a more realistic goal?
Brandt: As it stands Rio is my aim, however, you never know. If I got to choose obviously I’d say the Euros, but it doesn’t work like that. The Olympics would certainly be an excellent experience for me. I’m not letting myself get stressed out by this situation. I’ll go wherever I’m asked.
