Again in March, Wouter Burger was a part of the Basel staff that missed out on a spot within the Europa Convention League closing by the narrowest of margins.
Antonin Barak’s winner for eventual runners-up Fiorentina would have been gut-wrenching sufficient by itself – nevertheless it was much more so given the very fact it got here 10 minutes into stoppage time within the second half of extra-time.
The 22-year-old, although, will not be one to dwell on what has been. He’s mature past his years and has his eyes firmly mounted on the right here and now: in the summertime, he swapped Switzerland for these well-known chilly nights on the bet365 Stadium.
It goes with out saying that, geographically talking, this transfer is not going to go down as probably the most glamorous Burger will ever make.
But he is aware of it can serve him nicely, notably by way of growth, as he explains in an unique interview with Sky Sports activities forward of the Potters’ Boxing Day journey to St Andrew’s – which is stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer.
“It was a win-win situation because Stoke wanted to have me and I really wanted to go,” he says.
“For me, it was an enormous alternative to play in a very robust competitors the place you will get stronger, higher, quicker. You need to assume rapidly on this league, it’s important to be bodily robust.
“I think I can improve a few aspects of my game that it’s only possible to improve in England.
“I’ve targets and I need to at some point play within the Premier League – and, for my part, it is essential to play within the Championship to be prepared for that. With the plan from Stoke for me and the way aggressive this league is, it one of the best transfer.”
Burger – labelled a “key asset” by technical director Ricky Martin when he signed in August – feels he was ready to make this next step and it is hard to argue against that, given the experience he already has under his belt.
At Feyenoord, where he started his career, he progressed to the first team and worked under Giovani van Bronckhorst, Jaap Stam, Dick Advocaat and Arne Slot. He notes he only worked with Slot for two months, but is certain he was “the most effective coaches I’ve had in skilled soccer”.
There was also the time spent with former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who closed his career where he started it in 2018/19.
“Once I was just a little bit in between the primary staff and the academy, I at all times skilled with the primary staff, however performed extra of my video games within the academy,” explains Burger.
“I skilled with Van Persie and he was a participant who at all times took time with me to take a look at movies and gave me recommendation and little particulars of the sport.
“He shared a lot with me and I still have that in my backpack, I would say, and I can use it whenever I need it. He was a player I could look up to but also gave me really good advice.”
Then there was the transfer to Basel at 20, with the life classes discovered there efficiently utilised once more in the summertime with the transfer to the Potteries. “I’m more mature now than I was then and I knew what was coming,” he provides.
The season has not gone to plan for the Potters. They racked up three straight wins in the direction of the tip of October on the best way to an eventual five-game unbeaten run, however now they’re winless in 9 and solely 4 factors above the relegation zone.
For sure Alex Neil’s sacking on December 10 got here as little shock.
Burger will not be on the lookout for excuses, as a substitute encouraging motion; his aspect are removed from being reduce adrift, however he is aware of they need to begin selecting up wins below new head coach Steven Schumacher, who took over 9 days after Neil departed.
“There are a lot of new players – it’s really a complete new squad – and that always takes a little bit of time, but we are not at a point where we can say we have to be patient.
“Now we have to return collectively as a gaggle; we have now to take each recreation as a closing. You by no means actually really feel sorry for your self as a soccer participant as a result of the subsequent recreation is at all times there and there may be at all times a brand new alternative.
“Every moment you get results is a fresh start. If you come out of a period where you have a little bit of a poor record, it’s important to start a positive record as quickly as possible.
“A brand new supervisor has are available and I really feel there’s an vitality within the group that’s actually hungry. We actually need to struggle for these factors and each level we take we see as a degree in path. All the pieces that has occurred is up to now and we can not change it.”
Away from membership soccer, Burger has gained loads of expertise with the Netherlands from U15 to U21 degree, showing over 50 instances for his nation since 2015.
He was a part of the Netherlands U17 squad that received the 2018 European Championships in England, alongside Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber, Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Leeds’ Crysensio Summerville.
The quartet are nonetheless in contact. “Gravenberch lives quite close and when we play against Leeds, I have a talk with Cry. These are guys I grew up with; I always played with them or against them in academies. I always get surprised by how many Dutch people play in the Championship!
“Timber is one in all my finest soccer mates and I actually get pleasure from spending time with him, but in addition together with his twin brother and his beautiful household. I’ve many good reminiscences with them.”
Timber and Gravenberch play regularly for the Netherlands senior team now and Summerville cannot be far off a call-up, given the starring role he has played in Leeds’ promotion push so far this term.
Asked if he dreams of making his senior international debut one day Burger answers wisely.
“When it is practical and getting nearer, it should be a dream for me.
“I always see everything as step-by-step, so for me it’s now way too early to speak about something that is not, in my opinion, close yet.
“I need to turn out to be a good higher participant and play actually good soccer, present everybody how good I’m after which at some point hopefully come near the extent of taking part in for the nationwide staff.”
With the best way Burger is taking each new expertise in his stride, his journey from right here is sure to be one value following.
Watch Birmingham Metropolis vs Stoke Metropolis stay on Sky Sports activities Soccer from 5pm on Boxing Day; kick-off 5.15pm.