“I’ve found my place” - Jonathan de Guzman interview

Jonathan, how are you feeling following your first few games since returning from injury?

Jonathan de Guzman: “I’m very happy that I’m fit again and able to help the team. I was injured for a long time. The team did well during that time and their performances gave me added motivation to come back quicker. I’ve made a good start but obviously I want to keep improving in the coming games.”

It seems that your role in the team is growing all the time. Is that impression misleading?

Jonathan de Guzman: “No, that’s how I see it too. I needed a bit of time at the beginning to really settle in here. First I had to get to know my teammates properly so I could gauge how I can best help the team. I’ve managed to do that now, I’ve found my place. Now I can help the team and that’s exactly what I’m here to do.”

Your strength from set-pieces has stood out.

Jonathan de Guzman: “That’s come together well recently and I’ve been able to contribute some assists. I’ve worked on set-pieces a lot during my career, though, particularly during my time in the Netherlands with Feyenoord.”

How do you assess the current situation in the Bundesliga? What’s possible in the coming weeks?

Jonathan de Guzman: “It’s incredibly tight in the league and we have a difficult run-in ahead of us. Almost all of our away games are against sides near the top, so we just want to get the best out of the other games and achieve a finish that we and the fans are happy with.”

When you moved to Eintracht, could you have imagined that it would go so well?

Jonathan de Guzman: “I didn’t know exactly how the squad would look. Plus the Bundesliga is a league in which you can finish practically anywhere come the end of the season. One year you’re playing in the Champions League, then a few months later you’re battling relegation. That made it difficult to come here with specific expectations.”

Did you also get some information about Eintracht and the league from your brother Julian, who himself played in the Bundesliga for a few years?

Julian de Guzman: “My brother actually played with Fredi Bobic [Eintracht board member] at Hannover 96, so he was able to give me lots of tips. He was here just before the winter break and came to cheer me on.”