Keinan Davis, Udinese forward, recently appeared as a guest on Udinese Tonight. Here are his remarks:
The discussion began with the disappointing loss to Monza on Sunday: “It was a very disappointing match. Monza is a good team, but we must be able to beat them. It was disappointing for us and for the fans,” Davis stated, admitting he is unsure of the reason for the team`s current form. “I’m not sure what is happening, none of us are sure. Every day we work hard in training to turn things around; that’s the only way out: staying united and working.” He emphasized action over words. “We didn’t say much in the locker room; we were shocked and disappointed. In any case, there’s not much to say; we know we are better than this and haven`t done enough on the pitch. We need to show a reaction for ourselves and for the fans.”
According to the English striker, these recent matches haven`t matched the standard of the good season played so far: “From the start of the season, we had a goal to reach. Midway through, we earned many points and raised our level; however, the last few games haven’t been good enough, and we have disappointed our fans. In recent weeks, we haven`t been up to standard.” His own season hasn`t fully satisfied him either: “I’m not satisfied with my season. I was out for injury a lot and didn’t play as much as I wanted. One of the best abilities a player can have is being available to help the team, so I can`t be satisfied.”
The topic of Davis’s recurring injuries was unavoidable: “We are working on it with the physiotherapists, but we haven’t found the precise reason for all these injuries yet. I work with them every day to be available, and then in the summer, I will see a specialist, hoping they can resolve the situation.” This situation also affects him mentally: “When you get injured often, you end up overthinking and playing worried. Confidence comes from playing consistently.” However, the striker remains determined: “I believe in myself, but without being able to work and play consistently, it’s difficult to show my abilities. I just need to find continuity; I still have a lot to give, and you will see it.” He mentioned his teammates` support, particularly one: “Everyone has helped me, but Lucca the most. He had me train with the trainer who works with him, trying different workouts; he helped me a lot. I am very grateful to him; he wasn`t obligated to, but he did.”
When he has been available, Davis has always contributed, scoring two goals and having two disallowed: “The goal against Juventus was rightly disallowed; I had pushed. The one against Atalanta, in my opinion, was good.” Last year, he had fewer appearances and only one goal, but it became historic: “The goal against Frosinone was very important. Last year I missed even more games than this year, and it was great to be able to help the team in the last match and show my abilities. I feel the affection for my goal, and it pleases me. On the street or in restaurants, people stop me and talk about the goal, they show me photos of the match. After the Frosinone match, the other residents in my building filled my door with posters and notes; it made me very happy.” The Englishman also revealed a backstory from that game: “I had gotten injured; just before the goal, I felt a pull in my thigh and couldn’t run fast. I told the doctor and Mister Cannavaro that I couldn’t continue, but they told me to stay on the pitch, that the team needed me. Thank God I didn’t leave, and the goal came.”
Davis is concluding his second season in Udine. How has he found Serie A? “Serie A is different from what I expected; when I was in England, I didn`t watch it much. Here I`ve found a lot of quality and talented players I didn`t know. It`s a great league. The hardest team to face was Inter; Calhanoglu impressed me.” And Udine? “It’s different, but at the same time similar to where I come from. I`m from Stevenage, which is a small town outside London, a quiet town, in some ways similar to Udine. The biggest difference is the food; I prefer the food from home.” He quickly clarified: “It’s not just English food; it’s more of a multicultural cuisine. For example, I like Jamaican food. In Italy, I appreciate pasta, but I don’t like pizza.”
What does Keinan Davis do in his free time? “In my free time, I relax. We train a lot, so I don`t have much time, and anyway, there isn’t much to do in Udine. My partner and daughter are here with me, so I relax with them, take my daughter to the park, things like that. She is two years old; she always comes to the stadium to watch me, except when we play in the evening because she needs to sleep. I hope she remembers my goal against Frosinone; I’ll show it to her every day so she does (laughs).”
He comes across as a calm person, which aligns with his character: “I’m not someone who talks a lot; I try to show it on the field. Others talk more in the locker room; ultimately, it’s a matter of personality. Everyone is a leader in their own way, some by talking more, some by talking less.” Davis`s character fits his `British` background, especially off the field: “Often on the field, I get angry, but off the field, I am very calm, very `British` as you say.” He noted that he is not shy, despite appearances: “Many people tell me that, so I can understand it.”
There was also time to discuss Keinan Davis`s characteristics on the pitch: “My strength is holding the ball and doing link-up play. I can improve in everything, but particularly in movements in the box and scoring goals. I prefer playing alongside another striker, but it doesn`t matter who that is among my teammates.” The Englishman is eager to consistently showcase his abilities on the field: “I hope to be here next year; I still have a lot to prove to myself and the fans. I don’t set limits for myself. I want to stay healthy to show what I can do.”
Finally, a message for the fans, who cheered him after the match against Monza: “I was focused; I didn’t hear. It’s nice that they show me this affection; I am grateful. We will work hard in training ahead of the match against Juventus, not to disappoint again and to show that we haven`t given up.”