Wouter Burger interview: Stoke City midfielder on why challenge at the bet365 Stadium will prepare him to play in the Premier League

Sky Sports exclusive: Stoke's Wouter Burger on Robin van Persie's advice at Feyenoord, development in England, the Potters struggles in the Championship this season and more; watch Birmingham vs Stoke live on Sky Sports Football from 5pm on Boxing Day; kick-off 5.15pm

Digital football journalist @DanLong__

Saturday 23 December 2023 17:01, UK

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Back in March, Wouter Burger was part of the Basel team that missed out on a place in the Europa Conference League final by the narrowest of margins. 

Antonin Barak's winner for eventual runners-up Fiorentina would have been gut-wrenching enough on its own — but it was even more so given the fact it came 10 minutes into stoppage time in the second half of extra-time.

The 22-year-old, though, is not one to dwell on what has been. He is mature beyond his years and has his eyes firmly fixed on the here and now: in the summer, he swapped Switzerland for those famous cold nights at the bet365 Stadium.

It goes without saying that, geographically speaking, this move will not go down as one of the most glamorous Burger will ever make.

Yet he knows it will serve him well, particularly in terms of development, as he explains in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports ahead of the Potters' Boxing Day trip to St Andrew's — which is live on Sky Sports Football.

«It was a win-win situation because Stoke wanted to have me and I really wanted to go,» he says.

«For me, it was a big opportunity to play in a really strong competition where you can get stronger, better, faster. You have to think quickly in this league, you have to be physically strong.

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»I think I can improve a few aspects