Keke Topp: I’m not getting out of it

Keke, let’s start by talking about things away from the pitch. Are you a good singer?
No, but I think I know why you are asking me this question…

You are new in the team and all new players have the honour of singing during the team evening. Do you have a plan yet?
I’m still thinking about it. The older players have told me I’ve got to sing, several times in fact (laughs). I’m not getting out of it.

Your first game as part of the first team went well. You scored in the friendly against SC Spelle-Venhaus. What did that goal mean to you?
It may have only been a friendly, but it’s always nice to score as a striker.

How has training been for you so far?
I’m coping well with the workload and I feel fit. The heat is obviously tough for us all, but you have to just get on with it. It’s obviously a bit different to life with the U19s, but the Knappenschmiede prepares you well for what’s to come after the U19s and I’m really thankful for that.

You joined the club’s academy from Werder Bremen two years ago. Why did you decide to make the move down to Gelsenkirchen from up north?
The biggest factor in my decision to join Schalke was Norbert Elgert. I was desperate to play under him. I also wanted the challenge of moving away from home and learning how to stand on my two feet. I lived in the Knappenschmiede boarding school in my first year with the U19s, before moving into a boarding school flat. I received help with my washing and could eat there too. I’ve now got my own flat for the first time.

You mentioned Norbert Elgert, a man who has played a big role in the development of a number of talented footballers. What’s special about him?
Aside from his understanding of football, it’s his character that really impresses me. He’s a fantastic person and wants to help you grow as a person and a footballer. He not only tells you how to behave on the pitch, but also during training and away from it too. He always wants the best for you. I always knew that his intentions were good when he got tough with me. I knew he wanted to help improve me. I’m really thankful for the past two years I spent with the U19s – I learnt a lot of things that will help me in my future career and away from football too.

Mike Büskens is currently the man on the first-team coaching staff responsible for the integration of academy players. How helpful is he?
As a younger player it’s important to have somebody there and Mr. Büskens is brilliant at what he does. He speaks a lot with us, gives us tips and advice on certain things we’ve done in training or in games. Our head coach also gives me feedback during training sessions, praises good things and tells me when I should have done something better.

Simon Terodde, the all-time top goalscorer in the 2. Bundesliga, is part of the first-team squad. Sebastian Polter has also scored a lot of goals in his career too. What can you learn from these two experienced strikers?
I can learn something from all of my teammates, regardless of which position they play. Having said that, I can definitely pick up more things from Simon and Polti because they are also strikers. I study their positioning, how they tackle, how they shoot and their eye for goal. I also look out for how they prepare for training and what they do after it – that’s important in football too.

The fans are always asking you for autographs or pictures after training…
I’m still not used to the feeling; it’s still a bit strange (laughs). But if I’m able to make our fans happy by giving them an autograph or taking a photo together, then I’m glad to do it.

Do you have a role model?
Ronaldo!

Cristiano Ronaldo or Brazilian Ronaldo?
Cristiano Ronaldo. The other Ronaldo played before my time. I wasn’t even born yet when he helped Brazil win the World Cup in 2002!

Both Ronaldos are known for scoring goals. What goal have you set for yourself going into the new season?
I want to learn and improve every day and show that I’m an option in training. We’ll see what might come. I’m a young player and my career is just beginning. I’m just taking things as they come and will give it my all every day.

You featured twice for the first team over the last two seasons. Both times in away games, once at St. Pauli in the second division and once against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga. How excited are you when you think about possibly getting to play in the VELTINS-Arena?
I’ve basically been part of a home atmosphere already (laughs). That’s what it felt like to play in front of the 15,000 Schalke fans that made the trip to Sinsheim over Easter. I still get goosebumps when I think of what it was like standing in front of the fans after the game, even though we unfortunately didn’t win. Nevertheless, the fans kept supporting us. I can’t wait to hopefully get to experience moments like that, preferably after a win, in the VELTINS-Arena soon. I’ve been able to experience the atmosphere in the stadium several times as a fan already.

What impresses you the most about it?
The stadium is bouncing as soon as the game kicks off. At times, after we’ve scored, you feel like the roof is going to blow off the place because the fans are celebrating so loudly. For example, I can remember what it was like after Kenan Karaman’s goal to make it 2-2 in the derby. It was pretty amazing to see what happened after he scored and the full-time whistle went.

You could play your first game at the VELTINS-Arena in our final pre-season friendly against FC Twente. Will your family also be at the game?
I don’t know yet, because my parents are self-employed and it’s not always easy to make plans. They always try to watch my games. I’ll ask them later…

…when you call them?
No, there’s no need. They also travelled to Mittersill, in order to see how things were going with me. They also want to watch the friendlies against Copenhagen and Gornik Zabrze. Simon Terodde’s father is also here. I saw him at training and Simon also told me.