"When the balls fly into the box..."

With eight goals in five games so far in pre-season, Davie Selke is in good form. He’s been giving 100% in training and covered plenty of ground during the friendlies, on top of his goals. The 26-year-old has been around for a long enough time, however, to not read too much into this, with a good pre-season not a guarantee for a strong season. Strikers are nearly always measured on their goal output, although our number seven is also known as a team player. “I want to contribute this season, but not just by scoring goals, more through my work for the team. I want to be an important part of the side and cause problems up front for the defenders,” said Selke to the press on Monday in Leogang. The tall attacker is happy to be in Austria for the club’s second training camp of the summer: “We’ve definitely got a good group here. It’s a lot of fun! My return to Hertha is a chance for me.” Selke also spoke about coming back to the capital, reflected on himself and talked about his role in the team.

Davie Selke on…

...his return to Hertha: I was definitely looking forward to coming back to Hertha. Lots of things are as they were before I left. I’ve been accepted really well by the team and the staff and I’ve got to know the new faces quickly too. We’ve definitely got a good group here. It’s a lot of fun! My return to Hertha is a chance for me. I’m lucky that I’m under contract here. My wife and I are also right at home in Berlin.

...his condition: I’ve had a few intensive weeks. I used the break after last season to really switch off. I put my phone away and just tried to clear my head after getting relegated with Werder Bremen, which was obviously really disappointing. I also used the time to question myself as well.

...what he realised: I asked myself what I can do better, what I can improve on and what I’m lacking. I questioned how can I improve my current situation? It’s not about what other people think about me, but rather what I expect from myself and whether or not I’m fulfilling those expectations. I then came to a conclusion that I need to improve my fitness, condition and speed. I already started working on those things before we started pre-season. I feel physically good and I believe that everyone should see that (laughs).

…his role in the team I want to contribute this season, but not just by scoring goals, more through my work for the team. Overall I want to be important for the collective and to be a constant thorn up front. But when the balls fly into the box, I have to be there. In the past it was often the case that I would drift out wide if I hadn’t received the ball in two or three minutes. But I have to be in the box when the ball comes in – whether that’s from crosses or through balls.

…competition for places in blue and white: I’m just concentrating on myself and I want to be in the best form possible to be there when the team needs me. I’m not just saying that. I always had really good, exciting competition with Vedad Ibišević, it was always a good battle between the two of us. The situation right now is what it is with the departure of Jhon Córdoba and the injury for Krzysztof Piątek. I still don’t know what will happen, there are still a few weeks to go. Right from the beginning I’ve been focusing on myself and making sure I perform. I’ve done that well so far and so we’ll wait and see how things unfold.

...working with Pál Dárdai: I’ve always felt really comfortable playing under him. We have a good connection. He’s a fatherly kind of guy and I like that. He is honest and that is so, so important. He tells you when you’ve played well but he also lets you know in his own way what wasn’t so good. I like that. It’s always important to know where you stand. It’s just like it was the first time around. I feel at home with the training staff and I think that that will help my performances.

…Prince Boateng: Prince and I have gotten along well right from day one, we sit next to each other in the dressing room. We’d already met once before when we did something against racism together. We get on really well and he is a nice, straight-forward guy who will help the group. He’s a guy with a strong mentality. We can learn a lot from him because he’s got bags of experience. He knows all stages of the game from back to front.

...his style of play: I’ve been around a few years already and at 26 I’m no young talent anymore (laughs). I’ve had some good times over the years, as well as some tougher ones. I’m still a bit of a loudmouth just like I’ve always been (grins). I want to grow into some sort of leadership role, but that always comes down to performances. It’s important for any team to have a core of players who lead the way with their mentality. Regardless of that, I will always be talking and helping out when I’m on the pitch. That is part of my game.