Thai worked in an interview: "Rod van Nistelrooy is an amazing person who believes in promoting young people" | Israel today

Over the years, quite a few young footballers have gone to Europe to try their luck.

We saw Ben Shaher move to Chelsea, Omari Altman move to Fulham, Guy Assouline to Barcelona, ​​Nes Zamir to Real Madrid and many more.

In most cases, the acclimation did not go as those talents expected and they ended up registering their success in the local arena, if at all.

The one who is also included in this list and wants to break the statistics is Tai Abed, a PSV Eindhoven player who moved to the Netherlands from Po'el Tel Aviv about two years ago, went through an amazing journey with the youth team to the final of the European Championship last summer, and dreams of being the next exit of the luxury club Shrek In the last year, he sold players for millions of euros, such as Daniel Malen, Cody Gakpo and Noni Madoka.

In an interview with Israel Hayom, Abed, whose most of his appearances in the Netherlands so far have been with PSV's youth team, believes that he can make his big breakthrough soon: "My goal and that of the professional team from the moment I arrived here was that at the age of 19-20 I I will be part of the senior team and I am in the right direction. I am supposed to move permanently to Young PSV (team under the age of 23 - DL) during the month of March, and gradually integrate into the seniors starting next season, this is the plan of the professional manager of the club and I hope that I I will give them all the reasons for this to happen."

slave.

Want to change the statistics, photo: PSV Eindhoven

Did you have a conversation with Rod Van Nistelrooy, who was appointed senior coach last summer?

"This year we haven't spoken yet because he moved on to seniors, but last year I had quite a few training sessions with him. He would talk and direct me a lot, stay with me for one-on-one practice at the end of the training session, he is definitely a special person and coach who believes in promoting young players."

You are 19 years old this summer. If you see that you don't get into PSV's senior team and you get loan offers in the Premier League, do you think this is something that could suit you?

"Right now my plans are to stay in Europe, I'm happy here. I had quite a few offers from senior teams in the Netherlands and the rest of Europe after the youth Euros, and I chose to stay here. I think the process I went through and am still going through is making me a better player, I have agents (Meir Rifman and Israel Ma'oz) and a father who always makes sure to have his hand on the pulse and know what is best for me at the specific point in time, I trust them one hundred percent."

Van Nistelrooy.

The head coach of the team, photo: Getty

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I'm hardly ever alone

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To understand the differences between what is happening in Europe and Israel, one can see through Abed's agenda.

"We have a complex with seven training courts of different sizes, a fitness club, a training court in a closed hall, treatment rooms and dressing rooms at a very high level, rest rooms, a restaurant and a bar. I start the day with strength training at 9 in the morning, at 12 there is training, at 16 tactical training And in between there are rest and meals. The training sessions are conducted by five coaches on the field and each training session is filmed and analyzed for each player, there is a personal mental coach for each player. My mental coach is a guy named Pablo who has been with me for two years and has become one of the closest people to me."

What is it like to live alone at a young age in a foreign country?

"The transition was not easy. I was not yet 17 and leaving the hotbed of family and friends is not easy, but it matured me and strengthened me. My parents come to visit once a month regularly, my friends come on holidays. I generally don't have time here alone, most of the day I am in training from the morning Until the evening and on my day off, I'm with friends from the group, going out to a restaurant or making a trip to Amsterdam or Belgium."

slave.

The move to the Netherlands was not easy, photo: Esi Kiefer

You got to see Eran Zahavi up close.

What made him successful wherever he goes and how was the connection between you?

"Eran and his family have a part in my quick adaptation in the Netherlands, they were by my side the first year. Eran's wife Shai constantly invited me to Shabbats and holidays, Eran always made sure to be there for me in the most difficult moments, taught me how to cope. Eran was a mentor to many players Young people at PSV and it is not at all surprising that wherever he goes he leaves a mark, because beyond being a huge player he is a personality above all."

You received the status of an "elite athlete" from the IDF last summer. Do you do any activities with the army?

"I am supposed to participate in sports days for soldiers during the summer break and do missions for the country at Jewish institutions in the Netherlands. I meet with Jewish students in Eindhoven at Beit Chabad. I tell them about Israel. I think this is an excellent mission for the State of Israel and I am proud to represent the country in whatever way I can to donate".

Golden in Eindhoven.

Helped Abed record in the Netherlands, photo: Twitter

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I believe we will also succeed in the Mondialeto

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This coming May you are expected to play in Israel's first ever World Cup.

After the European Youth Championship last summer, where do you think you can go?

"First of all, before the Mondialeto, we have the elite stage for the Euros at the end of March and we must have a good tournament to reach the Euro stage again in the summer of 2023. Regarding the Mondialeto, I think we have a very talented and very well-trained team. Ofir Haim has the advantage of being a coach who knows the players very well And knows how to get the most out of each and every player. I believe that we will make a World Cup as good as the last Euro."

How exciting is it for you to see Oskar Gloch succeed like this and reach Salzburg?

"Oscar is very talented, he has a lot of football, I'm very happy for him, I think he made the right choice to go and play in Austria. You have to do your first baptism of fire in a team like this on the way to the higher levels, he has to accumulate playing minutes to get used to the physicality and the work on the field in Europe. It's different from Israel , I have no doubt that Oscar is on his way to the highest levels and I wish him success and hope that there will be many more young players who make their way from Israeli football to Europe. This will only raise the level of the senior team."

Who is your role model?

"Cristiano Ronaldo. A player who worked hard to get where he got and I, like him, strongly believe in hard work."

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In the youth team, photo: Esi Kiefer

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