Mika Godts, the 21-year-old PSG forward who arrived this summer from Ajax Amsterdam, spoke to the press. The Belgian discussed his decision to join Paris, his initial conversations with Luis Enrique, his playing style, his Ligue 1 debut, and his ambitions for the season.
Godts: “It was an easy decision for me”
It’s important—he is a top-class coach, after all, and I’m very happy he wanted me here. It’s a big club, a great coach, and a great team, so it was an easy decision for me.
What convinced you?
It was easy; it’s Paris Saint-Germain, and I was ready to come here. They explained how he works, and the fact that he wanted to work with me made it an easy choice.
When and how did it all come about?
My agent called me, along with Luis Campos, and things moved very quickly from there. We met and spoke with the coach and the president. Things were a bit more complicated with Ajax, but it all worked out well, and I’m very happy to be here.
Godts: “The coach likes players who can play anywhere”
What is your preferred position?
Yes, the coach likes players who can play anywhere. I’m ready to play anywhere—on the right, on the left, as a number 9 or a number 10—it’s not a problem. I’m just ready; wherever I play, it’ll be fine.
What kind of player are you, and what are your strengths?
I like to dribble; I’m an attacking, explosive player. I make runs in behind the defense; I like getting touches on the ball but also making those runs and playing with the ball at my feet. I’m an attacking player who can play anywhere.
Godts: “He just told me to play my game”
Does Luis Enrique ask you to dribble—or to dribble less? What does he tell you?
He didn’t tell me to dribble more or less; he just told me to play my game. Before the final third, I keep it simple and hold onto the ball, but then higher up the pitch, I need to make the difference.
Godts: “I want to play a lot, and we’ll see how things go”
How do you rate your first matches against Rennes and Lille?
I’m happy we managed to come from behind twice. For me, it was good to play and get those first matches under my belt—that’s important. It’s different; it’s a new club, but it’s good.
What goals have you set for yourself this season?
I’m going to learn a lot—new club, new league. I want to play a lot, and we’ll see how things go.
Godts: “Here, you feel like you can get back into the game at any moment”
Does Luis Enrique ask for different things—in training or during matches—compared to other coaches?
Yes, it’s different; every coach is different. But ultimately, it’s football. It’s easy when you’re playing with great players; you can combine with them, and they talk to you on the pitch. They help you a lot.
Do you sense that energy driving the team—that ability to always fight back late in the game when things get tough?
Yes, for me it’s different; it was sometimes like that at Ajax, too. But we weren’t as strong and didn’t have as much confidence in our ability to come back. Here, you feel like you can get back into the match and win it at any moment, so that’s really good.
Godts: “I hope to be there in September”
Are you thinking about the national team?
Yes, of course—it’s the national team. I was there in March, but the coach didn’t call me up for the World Cup. There were no hard feelings, though; I was motivated to do even more, and that’s what I’m going to do here—and I hope to be there in September.
