Kevin De Bruyne admits irritations

In a telephone call with head coach Thomas Schaaf, Werder midfielder Kevin De Bruyne distanced himself from newspaper reports claiming he was unsatisfied at SV Werder.

"Kevin called me to clear up some irritations from an interview in a Belgian newspaper and the corresponding translations in German media. It was a positive chat and it was important that he called," said Schaaf. "It's true that Kevin has not yet really found a contact to Bremen. He is playing abroad for the first time and misses very much his circle of friends in Belgium. But Kevin convincingly assured me that he doesn't have a problem with the club or his teammates."

The Belgian international also reached out on Twitter to explain he has no problem with the head coach. The assertion that Thomas Schaaf had not spoken to him yet is simply "not true", was his answer from the Belgian national team training camp upon questions from Werder fans. De Bruyne said in the interview that things are definitely different in Germany than in Belgium. "But I never said that I have a problem with it. In addition, I always emphasised that I am happy for the chance to play," said De Bruyne, who has played in all eight competitive matches this season - seven times for the full 90 minutes. He was only subbed out shortly before the end of the North Derby victory over Hamburg. And with three goals, he is even with Aaron Hunt as the top scorer in the team.

"I want to emphasise one more time, regardless of which jersey I am wearing, that I want to play football with passion and commitment. Otherwise I would not have made the jump to Werder. I love this sport," said De Bruyne in an interview in WERDER MAGAZIN, which will come out for the home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach. De Bruyne sees the step to Werder as a further development. "Of course it's nice when you can play football near home and you have your family and friends nearby. But I have a chance with Werder to get stronger. It's a big difference if I start 30 matches with Werder or in Genk. Everyone knows that Belgium is a very small league compared to the Bundesliga."