Koopmeiners promises to repay Juventus but admits ‘not at 100% yet’ | OneFootball

Juventus midfielder Teun Koopmeiners admits that he feels ‘indebted’ to the club after they spent in excess of €60m to sign him from Atalanta last summer, and while he is determined to pay back the Old Lady, the Dutchman admits that he is still not at ‘100%’ after his latest injury.

The Bianconeri midfielder, currently in the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup, gave an in-depth interview to Tuttosport, published on Sunday, discussing his time in Turin so far and his ambitions for the immediate and long-term future.

“I’m not 100% yet, but I’m definitely doing better, thank you,” Koopmeiners began.

Asked how it felt to watch his team qualify for the Champions League in his absence at the end of the 2024-25 Serie A season, Koopmeiners said: “Very difficult. I was out for three months because of my injury. The tendon is still bothering me, I’m still talking a lot with the coach.

TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 09: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus looks dejected after the team’s defeat in the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta at the Allianz Stadium on March 09, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“He knows that I still need time before I get to my best possible condition.

“I don’t know how long it will take, but I definitely can’t ask my body to play the full 90 minutes straight away. For the moment, I can’t do it.”

Koopmeiners on Club World Cup ambition and Juventus debts

Koopmeiners is confident that Juventus have an opportunity to win silverware at the Club World Cup this summer.

“In the tournament, I see a great opportunity to get back on track and to try and win my first trophy with Juventus. If we progress in the tournament, little by little, I will have an opportunity to make a contribution.”

TURIN, ITALY – APRIL 12: Teun Koopmeiners of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Lecce at Allianz Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

He admits, however, that what he has offered so far since his move from Atalanta last summer has not been enough.

“Anyone who comes to Juventus knows that they have an obligation to win, so I can’t be happy with this first season in Turin. But more than anything, I’m not satisfied with the way I’ve played so far.

“I would have liked to have helped the team more. There was a bit of bad luck given the injuries I had: I broke my shoulder in the first six months, then some muscular problems here and there before the tendon.

“But I feel calm, because I have confidence in my abilities and I’m convinced that I can show who I am.

“Injuries have played a big role. Every time I got hurt I needed a few games to get back to top condition.”

Koopmeiners went on to explain what it is like to live with the burden of a hefty transfer fee at a ‘club like Juve’.

“When you arrive at a club like Juve, and especially after a big expense as it was in my specific case, it’s normal that you get targeted if things aren’t going in the right direction. It’s normal that they ask more from you.

“I feel this responsibility, but I repeat: I am convinced that I can do much better than this. I have the qualities to be able to play in this team.”

Asked if he feels indebted to Juventus after the transfer fee that they spent on him last summer, Koopmeiners replied: “Absolutely. And that’s what I will try and take advantage of this tournament to grow as much as possible and be ready for the start of the season.”

And, on where he sees himself playing his best football under Tudor, Koopmeiners said: “The coach sees me close to the opponent’s penalty area, behind the striker.

“I remain a midfielder by characteristics, so in these sorts of areas,” is where Koopmeiners sees himself. “I do a different job to the forwards, but I like this system because it puts me in a position to be able to help the team.”