Fortuna-Top-Scorer im Interview
In the summer of 2021, Khaled Narey switched to Fortuna Düsseldorf after three years at HSV – and has been playing, as he says, “the best season of my career” ever since. Numbers support this: Although things were not going well for the traditional club until coach Daniel Thioune was hired, the 27-year-old winger has already scored seven goals and twelve assists, making him Fortuna’s top scorer. This is one of the reasons why there have been rumors about a move to the Bundesliga recently, Mainz 05 and 1.FC Köln are said to be interested in Narey, along with clubs from abroad. In the Transfermarkt interview he talks about his future, his performance explosion and coach Thioune.
Transfermarkt: Khaled, you’re having the best season of your career. How do you explain your performance explosion compared to your years at HSV?
Khaled Narey: I’m just trying to get better every day. I didn’t play as much as I’d hoped last season and I’m determined to improve in all areas this season and bring my full potential to the pitch. After three years at HSV and always in 4th place, at some point it will also be exhausting for the head. I knew I needed something new. In addition, it is often the case in football that new impulses can be performance-enhancing. I’m glad that the hard work you put in every day is bearing fruit.
Transfermarkt: Did you work on anything specifically to get up to your current level of performance?
Narey: I just wanted to make a fresh start and see my move as an opportunity. I know what I can do and I wanted to bring it all to the pitch this season. That applies to the whole week and not just the 90 minutes at the weekend. Be it game and training preparation or nutrition. I’m also glad that I have good people by my side who support me every day and help me to access my potential.
Transfermarkt: Fortuna has been doing much better since Daniel Thioune’s commitment. What did he tackle that you are now scoring consistently?
Narey: I already know the coach from Hamburg. He is very emotional and pays a lot of attention to the small details in football. We push the opponent up, stress every opponent permanently, want to be active and not just react. The coach does that very well and we are currently getting it implemented very well.
Transfermarkt: What failed before? Actually, Fortuna was at least considered a candidate for promotion with outsider chances.
Narey: Too often we dropped points in games where we could have gotten more. And if that happens more often within a very short period of time, you’ll quickly find yourself in the lower ranks of the table. The 2nd Bundesliga is very competitive, anyone can beat anyone.
Since Daniel Thioune has been coach of Fortuna Düsseldorf, there has not been a defeat
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Transfermarkt: Why did you move from HSV to Düsseldorf last summer?
Narey: As already described, I needed a change of scenery to be able to restart. For me personally, the last year didn’t go as I had hoped – again I didn’t get promoted, and I didn’t achieve the deployment times that I wanted to achieve. Then the idea of doing something new came up. Fortuna was very interested. Those in charge really wanted me on the team and I had a good feeling from the start. I try to repay this trust with good performance.
Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Khaled Narey: Bundesliga is “my goal”
Transfermarkt: Now there are rumors again about a move to the Bundesliga. Mainz, Cologne & Co. – what’s up? Have there already been discussions?
Narey: I’m currently only focused on Fortuna. If there is something, my advisor takes care of it. We’re in the middle of a relegation battle with Fortuna and I want to do everything to ensure that we collect as many points as possible in the coming weeks. At the end of the season we will see how things continue.
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Transfermarkt: How likely is it that you will fulfill your contract in Düsseldorf, which expires in 2023?
Narey: I feel very good at Fortuna, I’m playing the best season of my career. Of course I can imagine playing here again next season. However, I can also say that the Bundesliga is my goal. My full focus is now on the final spurt of the season. I want to help the team as best I can over the next few weeks.
Transfermarkt: Do you definitely want to play in the Bundesliga or would you consider going abroad?
Narey: I’ve played in Germany my whole career. The Bundesliga is one of the best leagues in the world. But I wouldn’t rule out anything. You never know where you’re going in football.
Interview: Marius Soyke (Matteo)
