AL-DAKHIL TALKS HIS JOURNEY TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

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Clarets centre-back sits down to discuss becoming a footballer and his aims for the season

2023-08-23T17:00:00.000Z

AL-DAKHIL TALKS HIS JOURNEY TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Clarets centre-back sits down to discuss becoming a footballer and his aims for the season

2023-08-23T17:00:00.000Z

Clarets centre-back sits down to discuss becoming a footballer and his aims for the season

Ameen Al-Dakhil is relishing the opportunity to play in the Premier League and is confident that the Clarets can continue to get better and better in the top-flight.

Speaking following Burnley’s season opener against Manchester City, the 21-year-old sat down with the Club to talk about moving to Belgium at the age of five, his journey to the Premier League and his aims & ambitions for the season.

“Well, of course it was a dream I think for everyone to play in the Premier League. Especially for me, I was always dreaming to play in it, and I am really happy that I made my debut here.

“I think we did quite well at the game. We conceded the first goal in the first minutes, that was quite hard, but I think after that we played well, we pressed well. Just Halaand got his two chances, and he scored them. I think we did quite well, generally. So, I think we just have to improve on little things and then we will be good for the next games.”

Post-match manager Vincent Kompany spoke about the team’s ability and his belief that the squad will continue to work hard and get better, something Al-Dakhil fully believes.

“I think everyone trains always at one hundred percent, gives it all, wants to become better, and that’s what the coach always asks. To give everything, get better every day and I think that’s why we’re here. To perform always and to make the fans happy.”

Born in Iraq, the Burnley centre-back moved to Belgium as a child, where his family settled and his talent for football was discovered.

“It’s hard cause as a little kid it’s not the best place to grow up, I think. But my mum and dad, they made a decision to come to Belgium because my grandma was from Belgium. So that’s why we moved. I think we settled quite well actually. We learned the language really fast because my grandma was always talking to me in Dutch. So, yeah it was actually quite fast. Settled really good. Had a lot of friends. So that’s also something that helps you. It was really good actually so, no problem with that.”

When asked if he believed this experience has shaped him as both a person and a professional footballer, he added: “Yeah, I think when you get difficult situations, especially in the beginning of your life, I think it’s something that you always take with you in your life. So, I will never forget where I came from, that’s why I am really happy with the things I have right now. Of course, it’s an honour to play in the Premier League and for Burnley and to play in such good conditions because you never knew them before. You have to be really happy with the things you have now and that’s why it helps me a lot.

AL-DAKHIL TALKS HIS JOURNEY TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE - Image 1

“I never played before in Iraq. I never touched the ball. When I came to Belgium, I had a friend and he played football for a small club just to have fun actually. His parents asked my parents to sign me to the club just to play as friends on Wednesday afternoon, just to play a little bit, train, just for fun. And then at the first training, the coach came to my dad, and he said, ‘he’s got talent’, because my dad didn’t see it. We just came from a bad situation, so he did not have it in his head to make me a footballer. So, when the coach said that my dad was really focused. My parents were like ‘we have to do something here’. And after that everything went well and now, I’m here.”

Alongside a club career, Al-Dakhil took great pride in representing Belgium after being called up to the national squad for the Euro 2024 qualifying matches.

“It was a moment of pride and everything that you’ve gone through. It was always a dream for me to play for Belgium, and at such a young age to make your first debut to play your first minutes with the big players, of course it’s nice. I have much respect for the players over there and they got me in a good position. They helped me with a lot of things. The coach was really nice to me. He showed me also some things about what I’m doing here. He was really happy with things I’m doing here so it was really nice.”

So early in the campaign and at a young age there’s still lots to aim for but Al-Dakhil says his main focus everyday is to help the team achieve.

“To play a lot of minutes in the Premier League at a young age is important, of course, to develop and be better every day. The most important is to do well with the team. That is the most important for me. It’s always the team. That’s always what the coaches say. Always put the team first. That’s what everyone does also. I would also love to score my first goal. That would be great. So, yeah, I hope I can score my first goal in the Premier League.”