Freiburg’s Jan-Niklas Beste speaks on trademark beard and teammate Vincenzo Grifo’s boxing challenge | OneFootball

Jan-Niklas Beste’s return to the Bundesliga after a six-month-stint at SL Benfica has the 26-year-old in high spirits. The former Heidenheim man spoke on his months back in an extended Kicker interview. Whilst covering a broad range of topics, some of the best bits concerned his interaction with his new SC Freiburg teammates.

On reuniting with former FCH teammate Eren Dinkçi:

“Eren was a great contact because we kept in touch all the time after our paths parted in the summer. I also knew Maxmilian Philipp and Patrick Osterhage a bit. Eren took me to the hairdresser.“

On whether, after teammate Lucas Höler cut his trademark long hair, Beste might be considering a shave:

“I’m sticking with my trademark recognition factor. It will definitely stay on for now.”

On meeting Vincenzo Grifo after the Italian international challenged him to a boxing match:

“I don’t have a problem with Vince, and he doesn’t have a problem with me. It was just a gag on his part. We understand and respect each other, so everything is fine.“

“Someone sent me the headline with a laugh. I haven’t talked to Vince about it yet, and he hasn’t talked to me either (smiles). He and everyone else have given me a great welcome.

“The lads are of course aware that a player is coming for their positions. But a winter transfer is something special. The team has the first half of the season behind it and the core has been found. I’m clear-headed enough not to think that I’d come here and immediately play 90 minutes in every game.”

On what extent Grifo’s comments and Ritsu Doan’s potential summer departure affected his decision to join Freiburg:

“Of course that was an issue. They’re both great guys, I know their qualities, but I also know what I can do. I knew about the situation in the positions, but I chose Freiburg wholeheartedly because the overall package was a great fit. For us as a family, but also the sporting path that was presented to me.“

On his personal goals for club and country:

“If I think about it right now, I’ll be honest: the national team is not on my mind at all. [With respect to Freiburg’s Champions League prospects], that’s hard to say right now. Things are going great right now, but that’s a snapshot. Nobody in the dressing room is driving themselves crazy thinking about it.”

GGFN | Peter Weis