Werkself magazine – Frimpong: ‘I want more trophies’

Jerry, you went from the youth set-up at Manchester City to Celtic and now you're in your fifth season with Bayer 04. How would you describe your development?

Frimpong: I'm very happy with my career to date. I’ve won trophies wherever I've been. And that's why I play football. In Manchester I played alongside a lot of future top players: Phil Foden, Felix Nmecha, Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer, to name but a few. My training and development were outstanding. And Celtic was also an important point in my career. We won the treble in the first year, that was incredible and an unbelievable feeling. And then it was on to Leverkusen where we've won the double and the Supercup.

How has your life changed since your move to Bayer 04?

Frimpong: In the years I've been here I've made really good progress on the pitch. On one hand, that's down to the coaches I've worked with at Leverkusen. But I have also developed as a person. I think I have a strong personality, I get on brilliantly with my teammates and bring energy to the team. That's the way I am – I don't put on a show for the lads in the dressing room. I'm enjoying my time here and you can see and feel that too.

Do you see yourself as a leader now?

Frimpong: If we're talking about leaders then I don't think I belong to that group at the age of 23. My aspiration is to produce performances on the pitch. But I think, at the moment, the lads don't take me seriously enough to see me as a leader. (He laughs). They would laugh if I was captain, I just talk too much and play too many jokes. I don't want to be captain and there are other lads who are better suited to that. Everybody has their role.

Has Bayer 04 become a bigger club compared with when you arrived?

Frimpong: The club was always well-known and had a big name. But now, since we were champions, the recognition has grown significantly. I also feel that in the Netherlands team. There is great respect for Bayer 04. Everybody knows we have a very strong team they have to take seriously. When people abroad talk about German teams we are now part of that. Before it was mostly just Dortmund and FC Bayern. We were close but now a part of it – and that's how it should be.

The development of the club can also be felt by the enormous volume at the BayArena.

Frimpong: Yes, 100 per cent. We feel the energy of the fans. They are completely behind us. To be honest, I've always felt the energy of the fans here – last year did make the connection even stronger. What we achieved last season makes them proud of us. It was emotional to see that. Leverkusen isn't a big city. Having created that for a city like this is unforgettable. The fans very much feel it on a personal level and so do we. I've already experienced celebrations like that when I was at Celtic because we won the treble there. But Celtic always win. The last time Leverkusen won a trophy was 31 years ago and never the league title. That's a big difference and it makes it so special.

This season is going well but not yet at the level of last season...

Frimpong: Football doesn't work like that. You can't be unbeaten every season. On top of that, we are playing the strongest teams in Europe in the Champions League. We do our best but the opponents know us and are even more motivated. We feel that this season in every game. The incentive to beat us has become even bigger. But it's normal everybody wants to beat the champions. We have to come to terms with that and that's what we're doing. And in a game like the one against Kiel you never know what will happen – even if you look the certain winners on paper. But then you're on the pitch and its different that's why this sport is so popular: You never know how games will go.

Do the trophies won have an influence on performance levels?

Frimpong: I don't think so as I still have the same attitude to winning games and trophies. That's why you play football – and that goes for the lads too. I want to win a lot more trophies with Bayer 04, ideally all of them. And like a little boy: I want to repeat the double with Leverkusen and win the World Cup in my career as well as the Champions League.

Bayer 04 are back in the Champions League this season. What do the European games mean to you and what can you achieve?

Frimpong: Playing in the Champions League is the best. We've already had big opponents and there will be other top teams. The 4-0 win in Rotterdam was a brilliant start to the competition where we want to be right at the top. It was the first time I played against a Dutch team with Leverkusen; then at the stadium where I scored my first goal and provided the first assist in a national shirt. I also look forward to playing former teammates and lads from the national team in the competition such as Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dyck in Liverpool recently. We are very focused and want to achieve a lot. Anything can happen in football. We can only produce what's in us. After Liverpool, which was unfortunately disappointing in terms of football, I'd also like to play against Real Madrid, Barcelona and City and be able to show our potential in these games against top European teams. We want to measure ourselves against the best. I'm very much looking forward to more matches and we go into the Champions League games to win.

You don't yet have the same status in the national team as you do at Leverkusen and you're battling for a regular slot. What differences do you see in your game compared with Bayer 04?

Frimpong: That's difficult to answer as I'm not the one that picks the team. I also try to work hard there and have the aim of being in the starting line-up. As a player you don't want to sit on the bench. But if that happens you can't give up. Wherever you go, the doors are never always open from the start. Then you have to fight for it even more.

Sometimes you're on the bench at Leverkusen, albeit due to rotation. Is that easier for you?

Frimpong: No, nobody likes sitting on the bench. I'm a footballer and I always want to play. It doesn't make any difference which team I play for or what the reasons are.

Last season you set personal and Bundesliga records. In what areas can you still improve?

Frimpong: Everywhere. In defence, in attack and, above all, in finishing. I have to improve my accuracy and also the positions I take to shoot. I can score a lot more goals if I'm more consistent.

Do you have a go at yourself much for missing chances?

Frimpong: Yes, that's why I'm working on my finishing. It's quite frustrating if you miss a good chance – above all, when you could help the team with a goal. At the end of the game it really hurts to miss chances for an equaliser or the winner. In the evening, I still think about the moves and go through it again in my head. The next day is better as then I know I can't change anything. But then I get it in the ear from teammates: That's okay because they get the same from me. (He laughs).

Are there a couple of qualities of your teammates you would like to have?

Frimpong: There are lots of them. Grimaldo's left foot is incredible. His passing, his crosses, his shots – it's amazing. We complement and support each other very well and there's no competition to score goals. We are happy to set each other up. Pala really impressed me last season, he was perhaps the best player in the team although you can't pick out one person as everybody was outstanding. He is everywhere in midfield, runs a lot, wins challenges, has top technique and also scores goals. What also impresses me are the dribbling skills of Victor Boniface. I'd like to have that too. (He laughs)

How did the idea come about of imitating his goal celebration?

Frimpong: It happen spontaneously, I just did it and never planned to do it. I don't really have a goal celebration but celebrating with Boni is always fun. His gestures celebrating are always funny. He's a very funny man anyway who loves to make jokes about us and everything else. But he can take it too. We laugh a lot together. That applies to the whole team and that's also very important. We see each other every day, more often than we see our families. We travel together, have training every day. We spend a lot of time with each other and you build up a relationship to everybody. That's why it feels like a big family.

Your family lives in England, how close is the contact?

Frimpong: There are seven of us brothers and sisters. We have a very close relationship. Wesley is 19 and also a footballer and that's obviously something special. There are certain things you go through as a player. So it's very good if you can talk about it together. We help each other, Wesley understands certain things better than somebody who doesn't play and he also gives me tips. He's in the second team at Linzer ASK in my position and is also as fast as me – but bigger. (He laughs) My big brother Jeffrey has also helped me very much in my career. He kept me focused and always gave me important advice.

How important is it as a young player to have a good private network?

Frimpong: That's very important for me. Above all, when you don't have much before and then go into the world of professional football. It's a big step and you need people who can help you not lose sight of the target or ease up. If you are a young player and suddenly can earn such crazy amounts of money then everything can go so quickly and suddenly you have a different lifestyle and want to enjoy it, and then you can very quickly make the wrong move. That's why you need people to bring you down-to-earth. Of course, you should still enjoy it because you've invested so much in it but at the right time.

Your parents are from Ghana, you were born in the Netherlands and grew up in England, you played in Scotland and now you're living in Germany. Where's home for you?

Frimpong: Germany is now my home. When I go back to England where my family live then it doesn't really feel like home anymore although I grew up there. I stay for a couple of days and then I’m away again: I'm a visitor. And in Germany I feel at home, I've lived here for many years and perhaps I'll live here later on. I've never been to Ghana but and Im going to fly to Accra in December to spend Christmas there. I'm very much looking forward to it.

How do you see the seriousness attitude of Germans?

Frimpong: I like it and I think it's helped me as a player and a person. That also goes for our team. We have players from lots of countries but it does us all good if everybody knows that you have to be serious at work. In English you say read a room and I think that's very apt: You have to know how things work here and adapt to it.

Are there things you miss?

Frimpong: My family often come here and that's great. I know for many African players it's not easy to invite your family to Europe. With Victor it took a long time before his grandmother could watch him play here. I was very lucky that my family came to Europe together. It wasn't easy for my parents to come to the Netherlands. I really appreciate that. So I don't really miss anything – except perhaps for English TV shows. (He laughs)

After everything you've experienced and and achieved: What tip would you give to your younger self or another young player who is dreaming of such a career?

Frimpong: Follow your dream and your plan. Don't go off course as when you've done it you will see and experience incredible things which are worth working hard for. Stay focused and disciplined to achieve it. It will be worth it.