Adrian Dalmau: "I see myself ready for any challenge"

Adrian Dalmau | (Palma de Mallorca, 28 years old) is ready to release his best version again. A few weeks ago, the season closed rotterdam, where he assisted in the rescue of Spartaa classic of eredivisie. The striker feels he has completed a cycle Netherlands and seeks new goals after four years in which it has grown at all levels, from success and also to overcoming difficulties. During this time he competed Ajax, PSV or Feyenoord and enjoyed the approach De Ligt either Frankie de Jong, as he predicted the potential of soccer players like Anthony either Gravenberch. Adrian Dalmau | He knows football, exudes ambition and confidence that he will reach the level that propelled him to score 19 goals in Heracles.

How was the season finale?

Ultimately, fun. We were able to achieve the goal of permanence, which is what we set out to do in January when Sparta de Rotterdam arrived. The team was dropping, with very bad dynamics, and with the winter signings added with a great effort from all of us, we were able to save the category on the final day.

What is special about Dutch football?

It’s a kind of football that I like a lot, that suits my moods and characteristics. Lots of attack games, lots of back and forth, lots of space … I’m comfortable. The Eredivisie is an attractive league.

For the attacking players are very grateful …

Yes. The ‘Dutch school’ is very attacking and we also see it in their national team. The rival goal is always sought and that always favors us going forward. Shamelessly the teams seek the goal and that is something that is greatly appreciated.

There are always good players …

Johan Cruyff’s philosophy has been ingrained over the years. The Ajax school is focused on young talents and we have seen their successes in recent times. In other countries it’s more complicated that kids who come from below have opportunities, but in the Netherlands they don’t think about it and they bet that young talent is about to become a reality.

Talented and with competitive teams: Feyenoord has reached the Conference League final and Ajax have once again had an important participation in the Champions League.

The championship is growing and doing a very good job in recent years. I think, after five major leagues, the Eredivisie is there fighting, along with Portugal. This season he has achieved a very good coefficient in European competitions thanks to the achievements of his teams.

Some players have particularly caught his attention or may say: “This is going to be the bomb.”

In Ajax there are some players leaving now. There’s midfielder, Ryan Gravenberch. And Antony, the Brazilian winger is a great player. Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven also have players to talk about for a number of years. Many names come to our minds … we could spend a good time talking.

In the 2018-19 season he scored 19 league goals, how do you remember that time at Heracles?

I have very good memories. This was definitely my best season on an individual level. The team had a great campaign and at the goal level, it was particularly insane at the goal level and sensation. Now, I seek to reconnect with that season’s version.

What were the keys that allowed you to reach that level?

Physically I am very good. Confidence is important, as well as teammates, the club … It was a bit of everything. When these conditioning factors favor you, you can develop yourself fully and that is the result. I want to go back to my best version, I feel I deserve to go back here.

Where do you see yourself doing this?

Now it’s time to think a little. These people at Eredivisie have helped me grow both personally and professionally. I see myself more as a player than when I arrived four years ago. All of these experiences I have lived have made me who I am today. I am open to everything. I don’t know what the future will take in the short term, because now is the time to reflect and make decisions. Like I say, I’m open to everyone and I’m ready for any challenge.

Show desire and ambition …

I was so excited, the injuries of previous years were left behind, I was able to show the player who I am again and show the best version of myself. For example, the version we saw in Heracles. I feel I am qualified to repeat that.

Do you want to go back to Spain or do you have other preferences?

I have no preferences. True, as I tell you, that has been four years in the Netherlands; You always miss being at home and close to your people, but I am a footballer and a very flexible person. I adapt to any circumstances and I am open to continue in Europe or return to Spain. I don’t have any kind of preference. All I want is to be comfortable and find the best place for me to re -exploit the conditions I have, to reflect or rediscover myself with the best version of myself.

At that stage Heracles seemed to return to Spanish …

I don’t know if there is concrete. Honestly, I was super focused the moment I lived in Heracles. Whether I returned or not, my agents and Spanish knew. In any case, it was fun to see that they remembered me. That they talked about that follow-up was like an acknowledgment that I was doing things well and the feeling that love was like a shot of energy.

Good memories as ‘perico’ …

Yes, because I was so comfortable at the club, I had great friends and I have great memories of my time on the reserve team and how little I was on the first team.

He also excelled at Villarreal academy.

For me, and I was lucky enough to experience it from the inside, this is the best school in Spain. It’s visible: the way they work and the players they bring out. You won’t feel like you’re in a subsidiary because it’s all 100% professional, because of the way they take care of the footballer and everything they put into your service so that you thrive in the best conditions. It’s wonderful and they do it without losing the essence of a family club, of close people, what Villarreal is. It was a great experience that helped me get to where I am.

What is your secret?

The Villarreal subsidiary has been struggling for some time to climb to Second and make good campaigns; ultimately, they prepare you for the first team and if not for professional football. Many of the players I have met have jumped and over the years have been the same, not coincidentally and the way they work has been fortunate for the player.

Semi-finals of the Champions League and champions in the Europa League last year, it’s huge to what extent …

They reap what they have planted these years of work, in that way of caring for the quarry and that promise in youth football. The first group is an example. Because what Villarreal, that they won a European competition, that they played in a semi-final of the Champions League, such things are a reward for the club, for its people, for the people of Vila- real.

As a Majorcan, I think I’m happy that Mallorca is still in the First Division.

I was even more excited. I’ve always been a fan of the team, I follow it and I still have friends within the club. I always say: I enjoy all the great things that are happening in Mallorca. This permanence is especially good, it’s like project confirmation for this property that is a few years back. I think the club needs that continuity in the First Division to be able to settle down. I think they are doing things very well and they deserve this salvation. Hopefully they will be for many years, because I think that’s where they should be.

Plus, it’s your home. In Mallorca this is the place where we can find him when football allows …

Sometimes they ask me where I’m going on vacation, whether I’m going to the Caribbean or something, and I always answer that I eat in Mallorca anywhere. Apart from all the good things we have, there is my family, my friends … everything is in me. Whenever I can, I run away, especially these years abroad. This is my place to disconnect and recharge batteries. I always say it and it’s true: like in Mallorca, nowhere.

Who was the coach who marked you in your career?

In recent years, the one who has marked me most positively has been Miguel Álvarez, of Villarreal B. The level of confidence he has sent me I have never noticed again in recent years. Because of his experience and maturity, he marked me even more, because of the messages he conveyed to our children. I think he is doing a great job and besides being a good coach, he is a good person. I have a lot of love and appreciation for Miguel.

And a football player or partner that you really enjoyed playing.

During Villarreal’s time, the most surprising to me was Pau Torres, as well as Samu Chukwueze. In the Netherlands I also found high quality football players, although here they are less well known.

For example?

Bart Ramselaar, a midfielder who is at PSV Eindhoven, we met in Utrecht and was very good. Adam Maher, who started in AZ Alkmaar, same thing. I left good friends there, who stay as well.

Any rivals that impressed you?

Matthijs de Ligt. He was in his first season at Ajax, when I was at Heracles, I remember we were right. It was annoying to see him up close and face him. Rivals who impressed me, even if they are not defenders, I will tell you Frenkie de Jong, as well as Antony … there is a lot of talent to be found in the Netherlands.