WOUT ABOUT THIS! DUTCH VARDY
BY
NEW Burnley cult hero Wout Weghorst is known as the Dutch Jamie Vardy in Holland – but the giant striker takes his cue from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Weghorst, 29, is realising his dream of playing in the Premier League after the Clarets paid Wolfsburg £12million last
month – and his man-of-thematch performance against Manchester United in midweek suggests Sean Dyche has landed himself a bargain.
Like Vardy, he has taken a long route to the top, starting his career with a clutch of amateur teams before working his way up with FC Emmen, Heracles Almelo and AZ Alkmaar.
But while the Leicester striker enjoys a pre-match tipple of port and Red Bull, 6ft 5ins Weghorst employs a team of specialists to keep him in top shape. Just like Ronaldo, the Dutchman strives to make marginal gains by adopting the latest breakthroughs in sports science and employs the services of a dietician, a physiologist, a physiotherapist and a psychologist.
Weghorst insists he trains harder than any other player in the game – and is more prepared to smash through the pain barrier to achieve his goals.
“I love the comparison to Vardy,” said Weghorst. “Especially because he rocketed all the way to the sky right from non-league football.
“I love his story – and that is my story too. I was nothing but an amateur player once – and look where I am today. That is a beautiful story.
“I have been dreaming about playing in England and in the Premier League since I was a kid.
“I was never the most talented boy, but I knew that if I would work harder than anyone else, I would get there.”
Money has never been Weghorst’s motivation. He comes from one of the wealthiest families in Holland thanks to their interests in everything from DIY chains to petrol stations.
In 2016, he listened to his instincts and rejected the chance to join Cardiff City.
He leaves nothing to chance when it comes to his career.
Weghorst explained: “I have an app on my phone where I register everything in detail.
“I am constantly developing myself and this year I have added a couple of
new people to my team of specialists.
“That is the next step to the perfection I am striving for.
“Don’t rule out the mental aspect of a player or an athlete. I have been working with a coach who is focusing on the sub-consciousness of the human being. With his help I want to reach the highest level of what I see as being mentally strong. I know who I am.
“But I do feel more confident and more stable than at the start of my career. It gives me peace of mind.”
Weghorst will only eat vegan food, with every portion weighed before it lands on his plate so he can keep his calorie intake in check as he fuels his powerhouse physique.
Liverpool will be on the menu at
Turf Moor. Tom Grootendorst is a life coach who advises Weghorst daily.
He said: “Many world-class players are trying to influence all aspects of their fitness, physically and mentally in their efforts to reach the highest level of their game.
“But Wout has been doing it for years. You name it, he has done it – and he is still doing it.
“If there is one player in football who knows his own body inside out, then it is Wout Weghorst.”