Kadeřábek: "I've always asserted myself"

Pavel Kadeřábek is among TSG's longest-serving players. The Czech has been in Hoffenheim since the summer of 2015 and has experienced in a lot in the intervening nine years. After an eventful summer, the 32-year-old is calling for understanding with the new-look team: "It will certainly take a while until everyone is integrated; you simply need time on the pitch for that and a little patience in the changing room. It's a big challenge as you actually never have time in football. We all stay calm and focused together. I'm sure that we'll play better football and pick up better results. We all want that."

He regards increased competition for places in the squad due to the new signings as a positive thing: "I always had competitors, players such as Felix Passlack, Jeremy Toljan or Joshua Brenet. But I've proven to every coach, 'Pavel is stronger, Pavel has to play' and I have asserted myself. I shall pursue this goal this season too. I want to show that I am the best person for my position."

His many years in Germany have shaped the wide player; in addition to TSG, he has also grown fond of the country and its way of life. "I now have a lot of German traits. Germany has given me a great deal. I've always been disciplined, but I've developed that even further here. For example, I don't like it at all when someone is not punctual. That can always happen, but then you have to apologise and do better the next time. I'm very German in that regard, also when it comes to commitment. I can't stand it when someone only moves their eyes and does the minimum. You always have to go for it on the pitch."

This is another reason why he can completely envisage further extending his contract, which runs out in the summer. But he has not yet given his future much thought and is focusing on the current campaign. "If TSG approach me, I will of course be very open. But I can also imagine returning to Czechia after such a long time abroad with my family. It would honestly feel weird to play for another club in Germany. But for me, the most important thing for the moment is to produce top performances. If I play a role that is important to me, then we can talk about a contract extension even at the age of 33."

In addition to good results in the Bundesliga and the UEFA Europa League, Kadeřábek is aiming for a successful season in a competition in which TSG have not made any great strides for years: "I would absolutely love to make significant progress in the DFB-Pokal and play in a semi-final or a final. That is a matter close to all of our hearts; for that to happen, we will also need a bit of luck in the draw."

Even if he hasn't managed to win a title in a TSG shirt so far, Kadeřábek is unbelievably proud of his career in Hoffenheim – and also does not regret turning down prominent offers such as the one from AS Roma. "First and foremost, I am very, very thankful for my nine years in Hoffenheim. In addition, you never know how it would have gone in Rome. At some point, I will be able to say: 'I was at TSG for 10 years, always played, was always valued and became a club legend.'"

Also with that in mind, he said: "For me, you cannot have more than what I have here. You don't always need even more. If you're satisfied here, you don't need to go to England or Italy. I would like to achieve my goals in my career – and not those of other people. I'm Pavel, I can decide for myself and I always wanted to stay in Hoffenheim. That's why I'm still here."