NOS Football•today, 09:00
‘Success has many fathers’, as the saying goes. If that is true, Malik Tillman is certainly one of PSV’s father figures this season. But it didn’t look like that for a long time.
Tillman, a young American who is hired from Bayern Munich, mainly had to make do with substitute appearances in the first half of the season. He has now become an undisputed basic player and PSV would love to retain him for longer. The 21-year-old midfielder is at a crossroads.
Lyrical Bosz
In any case, his trainer Peter Bosz is lyrical about Tillman. At the press conference prior to the match against Sparta, Bosz praised him. “Malik is a beautiful mover, technically skilled. He sees things faster than the average player and links that to a good team spirit. And he is incredibly football intelligent.”
Not surprisingly, Bosz would prefer to have Tillman next season. “I think he is a great person and a great football player. If he continues to develop like this, he will become a player for the absolute top. So I would like to keep him around, just like I would like to keep all the players in this selection. “
And while Bosz initially barely used the talent as a basic player. However, the American is not someone who is upset by this.
Goal stealer Tillman: important as a finisher for PSV
“In the beginning I didn’t play much, but it was important to remain modest and focused,” says a relaxed Tillman. “We started the season fantastic, and the players in my position did great. I knew I had to wait for my opportunity and take it when I got it.”
Tillman has now become one of the strongholds of this PSV, in April he was in the starting line-up in all the club’s competition matches. He also kicked off in both meetings with Borussia Dortmund in the eighth finals of the Champions League.
With nine competition goals, he also made a major contribution to PSV’s upcoming championship. Although he doesn’t want to cheer too early.
German mentality
“Maybe it’s a German mentality thing,” laughs Tillman, who was born in Germany and went through Bayern Munich’s youth academy. “In Bayern’s academy it is only about winning. For me it works like this: if it is not official, then the job is not done yet.”
If PSV scores at least one point in the home match against Sparta, the spoils are won. “Then we can celebrate,” says Tillman, “But we are also in the race for the points record and if I speak for myself: I want to achieve that too.”
By winning the championship, the season is more or less over for PSV, as the Eindhoven team is no longer active on other fronts. So Tillman’s focus on next season can be: where will he play?
Marcel Brands, general manager of PSV, has already let slip that PSV would like a permanent transfer of Tillman. There is a clause in his contract that stipulates that the Eindhoven team can take him over from Bayern for a certain amount. The sum is said to be ten million euros.
“It’s a matter of sitting and waiting,” Tillman says. “For me it’s all about playing matches and getting minutes. If a club can give me that perspective on playing time, then I will always listen. I love my time here, so if I end up at PSV I will be more than happy to to stay.”
Tillman about his future: PSV or Bayern?
Then Bayern Munich will have to cooperate. That is not easy to say: the German superpower in turn also has a clause in the rental contract with PSV. If the people of Eindhoven take over Tillman, the Germans can buy him back for a certain amount.
So Tillman is in the waiting room. “I really can’t say anything about it. Bayern will also get a new coach, it depends on that. The clubs must first find an agreement among themselves.”
Looking to 2026
For the American international, his choice next summer is important with a view to the longer term. He wants to be in the American selection at all costs for the 2026 World Cup, which will be organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada. A starting place at his club is very important.
“That’s a huge opportunity to show the world that American football there is. We want to show that we can really play football, with a young team that is full of potential. I want to show what we can do there.”
These are big dreams for the shy boy of almost 22. Before he can shine on the world stage, the championship match at home against Sparta is first on the program.
