Johan Bakayoko broke through last year under Ruud van Nistelrooij at Jong PSV. Now that Van Nistelrooij is the trainer of the first team, there are plenty of opportunities for the 19-year-old Belgian to prove himself. He hopes for a definitive breakthrough this season and therefore has great ambitions.
Seventeen goals and twelve assists in 32 matches in the Kitchen Champion Division. Johan Bakayoko’s figures do not lie. It is therefore not surprising that he gets a chance at PSV 1 under Ruud van Nistelrooij.
“Of course it helps that I have already worked under Van Nistelrooij for three years. He has a certain way of playing and I know that by heart. It is easier for me to apply it.”
“I try to feel what Ruud asks of me.”
And so there seem to be more opportunities than last year. Despite his good statistics, he was only allowed to participate in the Eredivisie for 31 minutes. That should change this season.
“I want to take a step. Breaking through this year is my goal. I have shown that I can touch a high level, I now have to continue that at a higher level.”
The winger bets high. He is not satisfied with just long raids. “I want a base place. I try to feel what Ruud is asking of me and then I’ll see if that is enough. There is plenty of competition, but that’s why you play at a top club.”
Yet it is not inconceivable that Bakayoko can realize his ambitions. He has a formidable competitor in Noni Madueke, but Madueke is also a player who was prone to injury last season. In addition, Ritsu Doan left.
“It can go fast in football.”
It could therefore just be that the Belgian attacker will move from Sportpark Zoudenbalch (Young FC Utrecht) to Camp Nou (FC Barcelona) in a year’s time. “I haven’t even thought about it that way yet,” Bakayoko laughs. “It can go fast in football. I didn’t expect it, but it’s not there yet. I just have to do my thing.”
Does the greatest talent of the Kitchen Champion Division have other goals in addition to a starting place, for example a number of goals and assists? “No, I’m not thinking about that yet. I just want to give a goal or assist with every come-on or in the starting line-up. That’s the goal. And of course winning prizes, that is perhaps even more important”, concludes Bakayoko.