Julian Draxler has told This is Paris on BeIN SPORTS he has had to adapt his game to ensure he became a success at Paris Saint-Germain.
The FIFA World Cup winner arrived in the French capital from Wolfsburg in January 2017, and after a period of adaptation, Draxler has become integral to coach Thomas Tuchel’s plans at the Parc des Princes, but admitted sometimes he has to rein in his natural attacking bent to allow the likes of Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappé to shine.
…on changing his game
“It didn’t take long time for me to understand because I could see what the guys do in training, you know, they came to improve the team and not to sit on the bench. so if you are clever and not stupid. you tried to find another way to play, that’s what I did. The coach helped me a lot, he said he was happy with the way I train and he wants to see me on the pitch. We just have to find a way to do it. For sure, I had to change my game a little the way I play.”
…on his position on the pitch
“I was always a player who could play like number 10 or on the wings, but now I play more in the midfield like a number eight, sometimes even as a number six. Wherever the team needs me, I’m going to play there, and I think that’s one of my good characteristics on the pitch that I can adapt very fast and very well.”
…on Thomas Tuchel
“He’s a coach who likes to change the system and the tactics a lot, so he can use me in almost any position on the field. And it depends if we play with the four attackers and me behind. It’s not my role to score or to give assists. Of course I try because it’s my way of playing football. But sometimes the coach talks to me and tells me today I need you more in defence. I know he likes that I don’t lose the ball, that I have good technique. I’m important, too, to deliver the balls to the strikers because, you know, I always find a way to find Ney or Kylian in dangerous positions.”
…on annoying his boss
“Sometimes he goes crazy because I don’t like to fight on the pitch like in one-against-one situations, you know? And that’s why sometimes he goes crazy. This is what I have to improve, I know, but I try every day to work on it. And I think I already did, because it’s important for the balance of the team. You know, if you play with me in midfield, too, because I think more offensively than defensively. But sometimes I have to stop myself and say, ‘Okay, now it’s time to have the back of Ney,’ you know, so it’s important for the balance of the team.”
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