Yusuf Kabadayi: You waste energy when you’re in a bad mood

Yusuf, you always seem to be in a good mood, even during the period when you couldn’t train with the team due to a muscle strain recently. Is that the case?
It’s just how I naturally am. In my eyes, you waste energy when you’re in a bad mood and I want to avoid that. There are still obviously situations that leave me feeling a bit down though, like after we lose a game for example, or if I receive some bad news in my personal life. Generally though, I’m a happy person and like to be positive about things. That helps me and the people around me too.

Did this attitude help you during your spell on the sidelines?
Definitely. It was obviously disappointing to be ruled out for a few weeks, but I quickly looked at the positives and said to myself that I’d use the time as best I can and come back stronger.

Did completing the last part of your rehabilitation training during the training camp in Albufeira near your teammates help you?
It’s always better to be with the team rather than away from it, especially when there’s a training camp on. This doesn’t just apply to me either. I was lucky really that I was only out for a few weeks. Leo Greiml, for example, has been working on his recovery for several months now. It definitely helps you, mentally too, when you’re not alone and you’ve got your teammates nearby.

You were doing a lot of running and completing long gym sessions in Portugal…
It’s exactly what I needed. I had to strengthen my muscles because my game lives off lots of sprints, lots of changes in speed and quick movements. I now feel ready again and I’m pleased to be back on the pitch with the team. I missed it a lot.

You signed for FC Schalke 04 on loan from FC Bayern last summer. How have your first six months at the club been?
There have been highs and lows. We haven’t been very successful as a team unfortunately. We had hoped to be doing a lot better and cannot be satisfied with what we have achieved to date. However, I think we’re constantly improving and we’re hungry for more. That applies to me too.

What has been your favourite moment so far?
I was proud to make my professional debut, although we unfortunately lost 1-0 at Braunschweig. My first goal was also meaningless in the end (3-1 defeat in Paderborn). If I had to choose a moment, it would definitely be my goal against Hertha BSC on matchday 9. Hearing 60,000 fans shouting your name at the VELTINS-Arena is a special feeling and it’s like a reward for all the hard work put in over the years. It was 2-1 to Hertha after my goal and it gave the team a real boost – the fans pushed us on late in the game and we all believed we would get the equaliser. We unfortunately weren’t able to in the end. I still therefore believe that my best moment at Schalke is still to come.

What do you like most about Schalke?
That’s an easy one – the fans! They are incredible. We have put in some pretty bad performances at times this season and the VELTINS-Arena is basically always sold out, even when we play games on a Friday at 18:30 CET. 60,000 Schalke fans will always be there to support you. I’m sure some of them also have to travel from further afield, so they will probably have taken half a day or a full day of holiday to be there. Our away section at every game is sold out too. It’s so impressive and just means we have to play to our best in every single match.

Who helped you to settle in in this new environment?
When I came here, I only knew Keke (both have been German youth internationals for several years) and Lino from the team. He comes from Munich like me and we both went to the same school. However, he was a couple of years older than me, so we didn’t really know each other at the time. I knew Mike Büskens as well. He was assistant coach in the youth national teams a few years ago and I was already in contact with him before my move. They all helped me in the first few days and weeks, as did Kenan Karaman, who also has Turkish roots like me.

You also shared a room with Kenan Karaman during the training camp.
It was a good combination. Kenan always gives me important tips. As he’s a few years older than me and has already experienced a lot in his career, I can learn a lot from him. However, I also learn things from watching lots of other teammates and I’m just trying to take in something for my future career every day. If you have questions or concerns, then someone will help you. As in any group, you naturally speak more with some people, and less with others. That’s totally normal. I would say that I get on well with every individual. I mostly spend time with Assan, Blendi, Bryan and Kenan off the pitch.

You’re one of the quickest players in the squad. Do you know your top speed?
It’s got to be 35.37 km/h (Kabadayi is 14th of all players in the league).

There’s still one player ahead of you within the team: Bryan Lasme. Will you catch up to him one day?
He’s already recorded a top speed of 35.97 km/h this season. But in all honesty: I’m quicker than Bryan, I frequently tell him that too, even though he doesn’t want to hear it (chuckles). I’d get the better of him in a long sprint. Beating his top speed is my goal (laughs).

Apart from that, what goals have you set yourself for the second part of the season?
I’d like to play as many minutes as possible. As I’m an attacking player, it’s naturally my aspiration to provide as many assists as possible and to score from time to time. With that said, I’d like to help the team. At the end of the day, it’s all about continuity – for me personally and for the team’s performances.