Naby Keïta: Champions League prospect with Werder “not unrealistic”

Bremer before his starting eleven debut

“With Naby Keïta there is someone who we want to get back on track, who has proven what an exceptional player he can be,” explained Werder Bremen’s head of professional football Clemens Fritz in a recent Transfermarkt interview about his new signing. Now the professional, who was set back by injuries at the start of the season and could be about to make his starting eleven debut against Hoffenheim, spoke in detail about his goals with the North Germans.

After his free transfer from Liverpool, Keïta missed the first Bundesliga matchdays due to an adductor injury. The 54-time Guineas international player currently has 22 minutes of playing time. “I admit it was a difficult time for me. I wanted to hit the ground running here and then this injury happened. I am very grateful that my family and especially my wife supported me a lot. My newborn daughter was also a big help. She is now six months old and a great enrichment in my life,” said the right-footed man in an interview with “Picture“-Newspaper.

The former Leipzig resident, who signed a contract until 2026 in the summer, already feels like he has arrived at Osterdeich: “I experience Bremen as a very familiar city. It is interesting for tourists, but not that huge. I feel well received here – in the club and in the city.” The fact that the Champions League winner and club world champion initially has smaller things to do with Werder from a sporting perspective than before with the Reds doesn’t bother him – in fact, he has a fondness for the Bremen team big ambitions in the future:

“I am here to help and to achieve the goals of the club. That is my mission. I knew I was leaving Liverpool and could prepare myself to do something new. Yes, we have different goals here than at the clubs I previously played for. The Champions League is not something we currently have in mind for Werder. But I always say, why not. It may be that the day will come at some point when we will be involved higher up.”

“My job is to pass on my experience to the team and exude self-confidence. I often talk about what it feels like to achieve a big goal. And definitely say that it is not completely unrealistic to take part in the Champions League again or at least to get into the top 5 of the Bundesliga. Maybe not this season, but eventually. If you have this mentality, imagine it and talk about these goals together, you can achieve them,” Keïta continued.

The midfielder, whose former peak market value of 65 million euros had recently fallen to 12 million euros and whose performance in Bremen has many hopes, does not feel much pressure from outside. Rather, he can handle the leadership role assigned to him well: “I would like everyone to take responsibility. This is the only way it can work. For me, there is not just one leader that others follow. I am a team player. I am not one to push such developments. But if others see me in the position and it develops that way, that’s okay.”

To home page