Tottenham? Nothing is a coincidence. Slavia? A great gratitude
Late on a Friday evening, with a flight to London scheduled for the following morning to finalise your transfer to Tottenham. What are your feelings at this moment?
"It’s a dream come true. I realise this is the kind of opportunity that might only come once in a lifetime. I remember my dad always telling me to keep working hard, stay ready, and never let a chance to fulfil my dreams slip by. Since I was a kid, I’ve had it in my mind that I always have to be prepared. When something like this comes along, I think to myself, ‘This is it.’ Each of these moments felt huge, but I never imagined it would become something this big – that Tottenham would call and show interest in me. The feeling is incredible, and I’m overjoyed."
The whole process happened very quickly. You even had to return to Plzeň to get gloves because you didn’t have any. Can you walk us through how it all unfolded?
„I was certain I’d stay at Slavia. I’d even arranged with my glove sponsor that I’d receive new gloves on Sunday or Monday, just before we left for the training camp. On Friday morning, I was at training, and there was no indication that anything was about to happen. That evening, I was with friends at the sauna and then had a massage. When I turned my phone back on, I saw I’d missed a call. I called back, and that’s when I found out what was happening. I realised that if I was flying out in the morning, I’d need gloves and boots. I didn’t have either at home, so I started looking. I drove to Plzeň and then to Eden, where I would have gone anyway to say goodbye and take one last look at the stadium. Now I’ve got everything I need, so I’ll pack up at home and head off."
What are you most looking forward to in England, and what will you miss the most?
„Honestly, I’ll miss everything here so much. In the summer, I was close to leaving and ready to move abroad, but then the new season started. Once I began playing, it brought me so much fulfilment. The Champions League qualifiers against Lille, the cup matches, fantastic league games, beating Baník, the comeback in Olomouc – these were all powerful moments for me. Looking back, I knew I would have regretted missing out on that. It was a short six months, but incredibly intense. On the other hand, if those six months hadn’t happened, this opportunity might not have come my way. So I’m extremely grateful for that."
How has Slavia prepared you for this next step in your career?
„I joined Slavia four years ago, having played just a few matches in the third and second leagues. I also knew my path at Dukla wasn’t going any further. Slavia gave me the chance to train with the first team for six months, followed by loan spells at Vyškov and Pardubice. Even when it didn’t always look like things would work out, I kept it in my mind that I had to stay ready because the opportunity would come. I believed it wasn’t just chance. I know what I’ve put into this – how I’ve trained and worked. When you give your all, things eventually fall into place. What you give comes back to you. Slavia provided me with a fantastic environment to grow and be prepared for the next opportunity."
Radek Černý, a former Slavia goalkeeper coach, has also played at Tottenham. Have you been in touch with him?
"Not yet. When I was heading to Eden, I thought about calling him, but I’ll leave it for later. I can feel the immense interest from Tottenham. I spoke about it with my dad, who gave his blessing to the transfer, which was important to me. I’ve had several meetings and calls with the agency and spent a lot of time with my agents. The whole process went quickly and smoothly. It was clear that an opportunity like this might not come again. I decided to go for it, and then it was just about reaching an agreement between the clubs."
What does Slavia mean to you, and what moments will stay with you?
„Definitely the home match against Lille – it was incredible. The derby as well. And the comeback in Olomouc. We were losing, but thousands of fans had travelled with us, and we wanted to repay their dedication. It didn’t look good, but I managed to save something, and then we scored one goal, and another within 30 seconds. We knew we’d see it through. The atmosphere at Eden is extraordinary. That’s one of the reasons Slavia is so unique."
What are your goals at Tottenham?
„I haven’t thought much about it yet – maybe I’ll have time on the plane (laughs). But probably the same as anywhere I’ve played when I was on the verge of something big. I’ll focus on myself, adapt quickly, integrate into the team, and get into training as soon as possible. Then I’ll fight to get on the pitch."
What would you like to say to Slavia fans as you leave?
„From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I won’t make it overly dramatic, but I have to express my immense gratitude. What we experience on the pitch thanks to them, the support they provide us, is something special. It’s not something you find everywhere in the Czech Republic – I know that from playing at a few other clubs. As I’ve said, they’re extraordinary. Wherever you go, it feels like home. When you play at Eden, it’s true what they sing: ´There are eleven of you on the pitch, but thousands of us here.´ That’s real, and you feel it in every match. I never needed to warm up – just hearing the fans clap was enough to tell me I was ready to get straight into the game. Thank you for the way they welcomed me, for their support, for everything. Please, keep it up, because you are vital to us."
