Maxim Khlan: "Dreams? Playing for the national team, Champions League"

Journalist Piotr Slonka published an interview with 21-year-old Lechia Gdańsk midfielder Maksim Hlan on his Telegram channel.

Maxim Khlan (photo: gettyimages.com)

- My first question is about your start in Poland. How did it happen that you came to Poland and started playing for Lechia?

- I came to Poland at the beginning of the summer. I was trying to get back in shape. It wasn't tests, it wasn't a medical, it was just keeping fit. First at Warta, and then for a few days at Lechia. After a while, Lechia contacted us and we started to communicate. At that time, everything was in place, I could participate in such conversations. We quickly came to an agreement with Lechia.

- How did it end with Zorya?

- Nothing has ended there yet. Everything is still in the early stages, so I can't say much.

- Do you still follow the UPL?

- Of course! I follow the league because I have a lot of friends there. I watch the matches and cheer for my friends. It's interesting to watch!

- Which team do you support the most?

- I support the club from my hometown of Zhytomyr, Polissia, the most. I was born there and played there for several years. I wish them every success.

- Can you compare the first league in Poland with the UPL?

- The leagues are different in terms of strength. In Poland, the emphasis is much more on strength. Here you need to run much more, play much harder on the ball. Therefore, in some aspects it is more difficult here. There is less technical football. However, Lechia tries to play technical and fast football. This is what makes us stand out from the rest and why we deserve a high place in the table.

- How would you describe your style of play? To be honest, you remind me of Andriy Yarmolenko.

- I am very pleased that you compare me to such a player and legend of Ukrainian football as Andriy Yarmolenko. I'm also glad that you see me as such a technical player, but I would like to point out that today I didn't play my best match. but that's not the most important thing, because the main thing is that the whole team won. When the team wins, everything else fades into the background. But I'm glad if people like my game. Football is for the fans, for the journalists who write about it. We have to give people joy. If you like my game, I'm happy too. As for my position, in Lechia I play as a left winger. But, for example, in the national team, I can play as a ten, also in the centre under the striker. At Zorya, I played on the right wing. I can play anywhere up front. Even in defence, if the coach wants and requires it.

- Where do you see yourself in a year and a half?

- I've already been asked this question, but to be honest, it's hard for me to answer. If I didn't think about it, I couldn't afford to, because I would lose my concentration. And I don't want to say, life will tell. Now the next match matters. I don't want to think too far ahead. I have to take small steps forward, not rush. Of course, I have my dreams. They are big.

- What are they?

- Of course, playing for the national team, the Champions League.

- And the Olympics?

- I fit into the U-21 and U-23 categories, and the coaches have to decide for themselves, of course, I would like to play.