Back
14.04.2020Bayer 04

Tell me, Daley: Sinkgraven on pea soup and circles of chairs

From the city of canals to the Rhineland: Daley Sinkgraven joined the Werkself from the top Dutch club Ajax in the summer of 2019. Bayer 04 is the first club abroad for the left back. Reason enough to ask the 24-year-old for a couple of secret tips and anecdotes about his home country.
20200216_B04_Spieler_Flaggen_73962_16zu9.jpg

Daley, what would you describe as being typically Dutch?
We Dutch people are very down-to-earth and we want to be simple people without any extravagance.

What do you particularly love about your homeland?
Of course, my family and friends. All the people around my hometown of Assen are very nice and helpful. But I also love the food because it's something special: There are tourists who only come here because of that.

Which place in the Netherlands should Bayer 04 fans definitely go and visit?
There's only one answer: Amsterdam. I can only recommend anybody who hasn't been to the city to make the trip. I love the city and the people there who make our capital so special.

Do you have a secret tip for tourists?
In the summer, you definitely have to go to Giethoorn, which is known as the Venice of the North because of all its canals and waterways and it's definitely one of the most romantic places in our country. It's a small place near Drenthe and close to my birthplace Assen.

 

 

crop_imago82652022h.jpg
Sinkgraven names Giethoorn as a secret tip for tourists.

Let's move onto you and your likes. What's your favourite Dutch dish?
Even if it doesn't come from the Netherlands, I really like Erwtensoep (pea soup, ed.). But I also like eating other Dutch specialties like croquettes, bitterballs, rissoles and pancakes. That makes me feel very close to my home country.

Do you have a favourite Dutch artist?
Yes, the designer Pablo Lucker. He designed my suit for the Life after Football fashion award that I was nominated for in 2017.

Who are your 04 best Dutch players of all time?
Johann Cruyff, Dennis Bergkamp, Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.

 

crop_imago34486842h.jpg
For Sinkgraven, Dennis Bergkamp is one of the best Dutch players of all time.

Is there anything about your fellow countrymen that you don't like that much?
I'll have to think about that… In my opinion, a lot of Dutch people are not patient enough whether they're in traffic, in their daily routine or wherever. For a lot of people in lots of areas things can't happen quick enough.

To finish off, can you tell us… What's the least known thing about you Dutch people?
On birthdays or other celebrations, we sit in a circle of chairs and keep hold of them for the duration of the event.

Related News

Remzi Kahraman
Women - 05.07.2026

Women: Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman leaves Bayer 04

Assistant coach Remzi Kahraman is leaving the Bayer 04 Women’s team with immediate effect to take up a new challenge abroad. The club has agreed to the 31-year-old’s request to leave, although his contract was originally due to run until 2027. A decision on his successor will be announced shortly.

Show more
Quelle: DFB/dpa Picture-Alliance
Youth - 05.07.2026

U19 European Championship in Wales: Culbreath and Onyeka sit out Spain clash – semi up next

At the U19 European Championship in Wales, the Germany U19 national team lost their third and final group match 4-0 to Spain. Several regulars, including Bayer 04 players Montrell Culbreath and Francis Onyeka (on loan to SV Elversberg), who had combined for four goals and assists in the two previous victories, did not feature,. Germany had already secured their place in the semi-finals with a game to spare.

Show more
crop_imago1079135168.jpg
Bayer 04 - 04.07.2026

World Cup blog: Palacios, Grimaldo, Quansah and Tillman through to Round of 16

The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico is underway. A total of eight Leverkusen players are taking part in the 23rd World Cup, with 48 teams in the tournament for the first time. Bayer04.de brings you all the latest from Werkself players at the World Cup.

Show more
Leistungstests und erste Trainings: Wie die Bayer 04-Frauen mit ihren Neuzugängen in die Vorbereitung starten
Werkself-TV - 02.07.2026

Diagnostics and training: Bayer 04 Women with new faces start pre-season

At the end of June, Bayer 04 became the first team in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga to begin their pre-season preparations. As well as training sessions at the Kurtekotten facility, the players under coach Roberto Pätzold completed the customary series of performance diagnostics. Werkself-TV presents exclusive insights and player interviews from the first few days after the summer break.

Show more