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What Heitinga actually said

First of all, I'd like to point out that I don't think that Heitinga will play for Everton the rest of his career, he will move at some point in time and I think he sees Everton as an appreciated stepping stone. A nice, comfortable, very much appreciated stepping stone... but a stepping stone nonetheless. I am not trying to prevent the impression that Heitinga is in it for money and a bigger deal at some point in time, because I am convinced he is.

And second of all, I want to say that Heitinga should not answer any question about a potential move the week before the derby. When is he going to learn his lesson about handling the media?

The original interview consists of ten questions. I will try to translate as literally as possible to be clear about what he said; that may result in some strange constructions or use of odd words...

First question is about the Dutch national team; I won't translate it as it is not interesting.

Second question is"Where do you play January 2011?" Suggestive question... but here is Johnny's answer, word for word:

"I have a contract at Everton. I signed there for five years last year, so I expect to stay. I don't have to leave and I don't want to leave. I'm having a great time in England, both on and off the field. I'm just at the right place right now." ? Perfect answer, Johnny.

Next question (actually question three and four combined): "What do you or does your agent know about the interest from Wolfsburg? (...) McClaren [their manager] is looking for defensive reinforcements."

"I heard about it from English media and I just googled about it to see what I would find."

"And, any news?"

"The situation about Wolfsburg is like this: last summer, when I joined Everton, they came to me. In England I can develop my footballing skills more and from day one I felt at ease. Everybody is nice to each other. I learned how to defend and play more sober in England. In the English League, you don't take any unnecessary risks, you'd rather hoof it out of the stadium if needed. Nobody has a problem with that." [For those who don't know: to hoof a ball out of the stadium, in the stands or just up field blindly is considered a crime in Holland.]

"Last summer, after the World Cup, Wolfsburg came around again, they came straight to me. I told them I wanted to stay in England. I had and have a great time at Everton. Wolfsburg are a nice team, I know they won the German league in 2009 and had a fall-back last year and want to mount a title challenge again. But I don't see Wolfsburg as a challenge." [I don't know how to translate this exactly; he means to say that Wolfsburg is not a step up the ladder.] ? Again, full points for Johnny, so far he keeps saying he has a great time at Everton and likes England and has no intention of leaving.

Fifth question: "What do you think about the interest of Bayern Munich?"

"That club hasn't made any contact with me. Not with the club and not with me. I cannot say if they have any interest and how serious they are at this time. I don't mind being linked with teams of this calibre, however." ? Why does he have to add that last sentence? Why couldn't he just leave it at "I don't know anything about this"??

Sixth question: "So do you consider Bayern Munich a challenge?"

"I'm open to it. I can imagine they are looking for defenders if you see where they are. Bayern are a very big team. I won't say no to Bayern." ? There we go... He clearly states he would move to them if he had the option.

Question Seven: "What is the role of Louis van Gaal [Bayern Munich's manager] in all this? He tried to get you to Alkmaar some years ago and is trying to get you now."

"I did not talk to him about a move. With nobody, actually. I do know him, however; he was our coach at the Youth World Cup in Argentina in 2001. The point is: Bayern Munich play in the Champions League. I would be eligible to play as we ended in 8th place last year with Everton and don't play in Europe this year. As a footballer, you always want the highest. Next month I turn 27. So yes, never say never, especially in football and nothing can be excluded." ? Oh, so now it's about the Champions League all of a sudden?

Q8 and Q9 are about the playing time he is getting these last weeks, asking about him not being in the squad/starting eleven or being substituted. He repeats two times that he has had some minor injuries, that he likes to be at Everton and that he will have a place in the starting eleven when he is fully fit again.

Q10 is about the World Cup and that a lot of players have a set back after that, nothing interesting.

So, while in the previous answers I always could defend the lad as in the Dutch versions he hadn't said anything wrong, this time he says he would like to move to Bayern Munich, even though they have not shown any interest in him. On one hand, that doesn't surprise or shock me, it is the idea I had about him in the first place. And to be really honest: I'd rather see him leaving for a foreign club than to another Premier League team. On the other hand, I think it is disgraceful to talk about moving to another club so openly, especially so close to a derby. Shame on you Johnny.

I'd think it would be in all parties' best interest if Heitinga stayed for the remainder of the season and then gets sold to a foreign team for silly money...

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