Wanted to be a footballer like my father: Yoell van Nieff | Exclusive Interview

Mumbai City’s Yoell van Nieff opens up about the challenges and his European career in an exclusive chat!

Last season’s ISL Shield winners Mumbai City FC have a huge task on their hands to replicate the kind of success that they enjoyed. The management has made efforts to further refine the squad, and make sure that the club adds to their exploits from last season.

Amidst all these efforts, is the signing of the Dutch midfielder Yoell van Nieff. The 30-year-old hardman is an exceptional inclusion to the squad, and is also being referred to as a perfect replacement for Ahmed Jahouh. 

Having joined the Islanders from the Hungarian first division, Yoell holds immense experience, and will have a huge task in the middle of the park for the club. 

Ahead of the start of the new season, and a new journey for Yoell, Khel Now got the opportunity to interact with the player. Here are the excerpts from the conversation.

On his first few days with the club

Yoell van Nieff has started his pre-season with the Islanders, and travelled with the squad for their tour to Thailand. When asked about how his initial days with the club have been, the Dutchman said, “I’m doing fine, I’m doing well. The training camp so far was good and overall, I have a good feeling and I’m happy to be here.”

On the challenges he’ll face here

Having played European football throughout his life, Yoell’s pretty drastic switch into Indian football can be a matter of concern, as the player might need to adapt to newer things. When asked about the same, Yoell opined: 

“I already feel that I have to adapt to things. I’m also getting used to a different way of playing, and what I saw already is also the climate and the humidity. I really have to get used to it because it’s a bit different than in Europe. But I will overcome. And of course, this training camp was really useful and helpful for me to get used to it a bit as well.”

Added pressure of replacing Ahmed Jahouh?

Coming on as a direct replacement of Ahmed Jahouh, a lot is being expected from Yoell, and the fans would love to see him unfold the same kind of brilliance that Jahouh did on the field.

When asked whether this high expectation makes him feel pressurised, the midfielder said, “I also saw that the No. 6 (Jahouh) from last year was a really good player. So yes, you always have pressure as a football player, so it’s nothing new. Also the other thing is that we are not the same, so I can only add my own qualities on the pitch.”

“I won’t compare myself with him or something like this, because I’m like a different football player. I’m just doing my own thing. I know what my qualities are and I have to use them. I can be really helpful and important for the team by using my qualities. So in that way, I don’t feel like extra pressure,” he added.

Idols growing up 

When asked about who his idols were growing up as a player, Yoell van Nieff named the following.

“David Beckham was like an idol, and even Steven Gerrard in Liverpool. Also at that time, like Ronaldinho, of course, because of what he had as a football player, how he enjoyed playing football was really nice. Also, I really was a huge fan of Iniesta and Xavi, they were like the perfect midfield for me.”

Messi or Ronaldo?

When asked to have his say on the Messi – Ronaldo debate, Yoell chose to take the side of the World Champion. “Messi for me is a better player,” he claimed. 

Early years as a footballer

The Dutchman also shared insights into his journey this far, and his early years as a player.

“I started to play football when I was four. My father was a football player, not on a high level but he was a football player. So I wanted to be the same. My brother is a footballer, so we are really like a football family. Then at the age of 10, I came into the Academy of FC Groningen, and my dream as a child was always to be like a professional football player. So I worked hard for this and always gave my 100 percent,” he stated.

Yoell’s career highlights

Yoell van Nieff has had a pretty fascinating football career so far, and has enjoyed spells in two different countries with a total of three clubs. When asked about some of the moments which he cherished the most, Yoell said, “I won the KNVB Cup with Groningen, so that’s for sure one of my best moments, and when I was on loan in FC Dordrecht in the second division, I had a really good time there. So this is one of my one of my highlights.”

“When I was in Hungary, we (FC Puskas Akademia) were also kind of successful. We went second, we went third two times and one time we were fourth. So yes, these last four years were also really good, and even as a human being, I developed myself a lot,” he added.

Eagerness to play

With the new season ready to be kicked off, Yoell shared his eagerness to get onto the pitch, and work his magic for the club.

“I’m really looking forward to it (playing). Of course, this preseason is really good and helpful, but at the end, you just want to be on the pitch and you want to start the season. Also, I am looking to play in front of our fans, and also like the Champions League, it’s a new platform for me, and I’m really, really excited about it,” the 30-year-old stated.

Message for the fans

At the end of the interaction, Yoell shared a small message for the Mumbai City FC fans, and also added that he really appreciated all the love that he has gotten from the fanbase.  

“My message to the fans? Yeah, I’m just really happy like how they welcomed me. So, I really had a warm welcome and I really appreciate it. I appreciate them already because I also get a lot of messages on Instagram.”

“I’m going to try to do my best, and I’m just going to give everything that I have. I hope we can reach really good things with the club and hopefully it can be a bit similar to last season,” Yoell added.

“Don’t stop cheering for us. We always need your help, whether we are leading or losing, we always need you – the fans,” he concluded.

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