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

Werkself triumph 1-0 in rearranged match at Hamburg | 17th matchday
Werkself-TV - 04.03.2026

TV highlights of 1-0 win in rearranged match at Hamburg

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-0 win in rearranged match at Hamburger SV on Matchday 17 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Kurzpässe vor #HSVB04
Bundesliga - 04.03.2026

Matchday News #HSVB04: First meeting with Hamburg in eight years

Bayer 04 face Hamburger SV for the first time since February 2018 in their rearranged Bundesliga Matchday 17 clash. After long years in the second division, the Red Shorts have gradually reestablished themselves in the top flight this season, thanks in particular to their strong home record and third-best tackle success rate in the league. There'll be a fierce battle in the air too, as three of the highest-scoring centre-backs in the Bundesliga could be on the pitch at the Volksparkstadion - two of them for Leverkusen. The Matchday News.

Show more
Edmond Tapsoba und Alejandro Grimaldo
Bayer 04 - 04.03.2026

Vote for Tapsoba or Grimaldo as February Player of the Month now!

Video games manufacturer Electronic Arts (EA), together with the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), has announced the six nominees for the February 2026 Bundesliga Player of the Month award. Not one, but two Werkself players are on the list in Edmond Tapsoba and Alejandro Grimaldo. Supporters of the Black-and-Reds have from now until midnight on Sunday 8 March to vote!

Show more
Hamburger SV
Bundesliga - 04.03.2026

Opponents update: Werkself visit counter kings of the league

After the original fixture on 13 January was postponed due to weather-related structural risks to the Volksparkstadion's roof, Hamburger SV now host Bayer 04 Leverkusen this evening, Wednesday 4 March (kick-off 20:30 CET), in the rearranged Matchday 17 meeting. It's a second home game in three days for HSV - an update on the opponents.

Show more