The cult status of the 23-year old Bosnian representative Muhamed Besic is rising in England. His passion on the pitch, his ability to tackle, his strength and the ongoing drive to win is highly appreciated by the fans of Everton. It seems like the defensive midfielder was created to play in the English Premier League. Previous experiences at Hamburger SV in Germany and Ferencvarosi TC in Hungary led him eventually to Everton FC in England. Due to his strong performance, the fans embraced Besic and the newspaper Daily Mirror described him as ‘the baby-faced assassin.’
Despite his relatively young age, Besic has become an important player within the national team of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The solid and versatile right-footer made his debut for the national team against Slovakia at the age of 18. By making his debut at such an early age, he broke the record of becoming the youngest player to ever play for Bosnia and Herzegovina. This record was previously held by Miralem Pjanic. During the World Cup in 2014, Besic, aged 21 at the time, made an impressive performance. Shortly after the World Cup he left his club Ferencvarosi TC in Hungary and signed a contract at Everton in England.
His club Everton currently ranks 12th in the Barclays English Premier League. This means that qualification for the Europa League is still far away. However, Everton will play the semi-final of the prestigious FA Cup on the 23rd of April. By winning the FA Cup, Everton will automatically be qualified for the Europa League which marks the importance of this tournament.
Muhamed,
Following your club career, you have lived and played in Germany, Hungary and currently in England. What has been the most interesting experience for you so far?
“I like England a lot. That is why I chose to come and play here. I’ve learned a lot. I think the fans like me because I love to tackle. In England you make a tackle and the crowd lifts. I am really pleased with that. It is always good to have a good relationship with the fans. I think the fans like my strength first and then my technical ability because I used to play as a central defender. I have always worked on the defensive side but the manager here thinks I can do more than that. I have developed a lot with him and now maybe I am not just in the side for my tackling. It’s good to be passionate, but the manager has taught me to be a little calmer and to focus on football. I’ve learned a lot. In some games, for example, I have not made a single tackle, not one. So I can play also without doing that. I can do both. I have worked hard.”
How did you became ambassador of the Emmaus charity organization and what kind of activities does it include for you?
“I don’t like to speak about it because it is private but I try to help as many people as I can. People see me as a role model in Bosnia but before I was 18 or 19, I didn’t realise that. Now I realise how important I am for the people in Bosnia and kids who look up to me. One friend told me about Emmaus because I didn’t know, so I went to see them and I had to start helping them. They build the centre up more and more each year. They didn’t used to have a pitch but now they do. They are thankful people.”
Despite that Everton is considered to be a big club in one of the best competitions in the world, how do you see your future?
“I’m really happy to have signed a new contract with a club such as Everton. After a year and a half with the Club, it makes me proud that they have given me a new deal. When I first arrived here it was difficult for me, but now I feel at home. The supporters, as well as the manager, the staff and my teammates, have all made me welcome at the Club and I feel really happy. It was very easy when I heard about it. It was clear that I wanted to stay and sign the new contract. When people look at my game, before and now, I think I have improved a lot in many different areas. But, like you have seen, I am still adapting to the league and I will continue to work hard and give my best. We always speak about things we want to achieve, Europe and other things. We have to show it on the pitch and do it. The next league games and the semi-final of the FA Cup, I hope we can do our speaking on the pitch.”
Interview by Dustin Giel
