Michiel Kramer became national champion with Feyenoord and won the TOTO KNVB Cup with the Rotterdam team, but was no less happy when he played safe with RKC Waalwijk two weeks ago. After the match against Heracles Almelo (2-0), he appeared in front of the camera with a large cigar and a bottle of beer. ESPN† Kramer is far from thinking about quitting. Preferably another five years. “I feel valued as a person and as a football player. I don’t need more. I want to keep playing as long as possible,” he says in conversation with Football zone†
By Mart Oude Nijeweeme
Watch the interview with Michiel Kramer here.
It is often about the croquette sandwich. Or the crazy dances. But at RKC Waalwijk they now know that Kramer has much more to offer. The attacker was signed in last summer a week before the transfer window expired and has played an important role in the battle for self-preservation this season. In Brabant they know what it’s like to achieve maximum performance with limited resources. “There is peace within the organization. If it is quiet at the top, it is also quiet down there. That is something that has been created here over the years,” says Kramer.
What has been your role in that?
“If I think I have to say something about something, I will. I think that it is not often and quickly about RKC has to do with the size of the club. One time you are relegated, the next time you are promoted. think it’s always quiet here Whether it’s good or a little less, there’s always peace in the club We can all get through the same door from the office staff to the equipment man That might be a bit boring but that’s why maybe less is talked about us. Not much happens. That is also nice sometimes.”
The Wednesday evening of Michiel Kramer: ?? To score ?? Dancing ?? smoking cigar#rkcher #deunion pic.twitter.com/iL5sXVjwNY
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 12, 2022
How is that for you personally after always being at clubs where there is a buzz?
“I have been well received from the first day. I only came to RKC a week before the competition. Then it is always the question of how you are received and how there is response to your arrival. But that has been very positive from day one. I’m comfortable with that. Whether I was afraid of that? There are always people who have a certain image of you. I’ve had that everywhere I’ve played. They must have had that here too. But I know what kind of human being I am and what a footballer I am. I have never had any doubts about that.”
I even saw that you are the player with the most goals in stoppage time since the 2013-14 season.
“Haha, I’ve seen that too. People forwarded it. At the end of a match there is often something to gain. In the end, such a statistic doesn’t tell me much. I’m especially happy that it yields something. It’s about that you create value. For the club and for the team. Whether that’s in the first or the last minute. It’s a nice stat, but nothing more. Whether it’s a coincidence? When it happens so often, you can’t speak of coincidence. There always comes a time when an opponent pays less attention or is tired. I try to take advantage of that. I think I have been fairly successful in that.”
You also immediately bring up a pain point for your own team.
“That’s right. The fact that we still had to look down at the end of the season was mainly due to ourselves. We gave away too many matches in the final phase. That is a shame, because you do yourself a disservice. I feel like continuously emphasizing the negative things. But we are critical of each other. And that’s only good, it makes us better.”
How come you outsource those games?
“I think it’s maturity. The real will to finish a match. There is still a lot to gain for us. Sometimes it has to be ugly. of a match. We have to be much smarter about that. I don’t think it has to do with the mentality. It has more to do with maturity. Gochme.”
Then it’s nice to have players like you on the team.
“That is one of the reasons why they have attracted me. I feel valued as a person and as a football player. Then I am very happy. I don’t need more. The way I feel now I can go on for another five years. I want to keep playing for as long as possible. In principle I will serve out my contract (until next summer, ed.).”
And after that?
“I have no idea yet. I’ll think about it. But I haven’t been able to find anything concrete yet. I did take a course through the VVCS, performance psychology. I completed it. Maybe I can help athletes with the mental aspect. I find that interesting. If you are mentally good and stable as a top athlete, you can get the most out of your career. I think there is something I like there. Maybe I can share my experiences with others.”
Have you always had that interest?
“Yes, definitely. As a top athlete you have talent. It is only about converting that talent into stability. That starts in your head. There is a lot to gain for a lot of people there. I have had that a bit during my career “In professional football, especially with the men, it’s vulnerable to say you need help. But we all go through bad phases. It’s okay if you need help once. We are becoming more open about that. , but I think we can grow even more in that.”
What was your toughest phase?
“I had a dip at all clubs. At Sparta and Feyenoord. But I also had a lesser phase at ADO. Then you consult with yourself to ensure that you get through that. So I did it myself. But for the same money someone would have lent a helping hand and I would have accepted it, which unfortunately did not happen.”