In the previous pages of the December 2013 matchday programme, ADO Den Haag manager Maurice Steijn publicly lamented the loss of his star playmaker, Tjaronn Chery. Just a few pages later, in the “Hoofdrolspeler” feature, the man himself takes center stage to discuss his high-profile summer transfer to FC Groningen and the intense pressure of wearing the iconic number 10 shirt at the Euroborg.
Under the headline “Mijn doelpunt zal snel komen” (My goal will come soon), the 25-year-old midfielder addresses a slight dip in his personal goalscoring form. He reveals he had been struggling with a hamstring injury, forcing him to miss the previous match against NAC Breda. But the core of the interview revolves around the heavy expectations placed upon him by the Groningen faithful. “Various clubs fought for my signature this summer,” Chery notes. “I had a lot of contact with trainer Erwin van de Looi during the preparation, and that gave me a lot of confidence.” He embraces the pressure, stating: “I want to demand the ball and take my responsibility… They are allowed to expect a lot from me, and I see it as a compliment that they do.”
The timing of the interview is impeccable, as Chery was preparing to face his former club, ADO Den Haag, where he had spent two highly successful seasons. He acknowledges the emotional weight of the fixture but remains ruthlessly professional. “I follow the performances of my old team with great interest… I think it’s a shame they aren’t doing completely well right now. But they have to know that the points must stay in Euroborg this afternoon. I will give one hundred percent for FC Groningen.” It is the classic modern football narrative: a player outgrowing his environment and returning to face the team he left behind.
A Look into the Future
Tjaronn Chery‘s promise that his goals would come soon was an understatement. He didn’t just handle the pressure of the number 10 shirt; he redefined it for a new generation of Groningen fans. His vision, free-kicks, and crucial goals made him the undisputed creative leader of the squad that would go on to win the KNVB Cup in 2015. His stellar performances eventually earned him a lucrative move to Queens Park Rangers in England, kicking off a globe-trotting career that saw him become a star in China and Israel. Looking back at this 2013 interview, it captures a player fully aware of his own potential, ready to break the hearts of his former employers to achieve it.