Sylvester Jasper enjoyed every minute of his international duty with the Bulgarian under-21s this week and is now concentrating on knuckling down at Colchester United in order to earn another call-up.
The Fulham winger, on loan at League Two Colchester, qualifies for Bulgaria as his mother was born there and admits that the early questions from his new team-mates were all about former Fulham forward Dimitar Berbatov.
“They were all asking me ‘have I met Berbatov?’ Berbatov is an icon in Bulgaria, so everything he’s done, I kind of know about. I haven’t met him yet but it would be nice and he was a great footballer.”
Jasper feels the exposure to international football will only help him go as a footballer – and adds to his progression having impressed on loan with the U’s.
“It was very enjoyable. It’s a different environment and a different experience to football here at Colchester. You’re playing with players from all over Europe and different styles of play but I really enjoyed it. Some of the lads are in Bulgaria but there are also quite a few who play abroad, like in Germany and around Europe.
Being in a different environment with different kind of coaching and a different way of playing, you can implement it in your own game and that can only benefit you. I feel like I represented Colchester and myself well, so I’m happy. Playing for your country is a proud moment. Playing at the Euros and the World Cup are two of my dreams, so hopefully I can do that.”
The teenage winger, who has made sixteen appearances during his loan spell so far, is now concentrating on continuing his excellent club form – starting with the trip to Stevenage tomorrow.
“I feel like I’m probably in one of my best patches of form, since I’ve been here. I feel like I’m playing more regularly which is a big thing and I’m playing well, affecting games and scoring goals. I want to keep doing that and I have to keep my head grounded and have tunnel vision.
“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. The AFC Sudbury game was on TV so I know a lot of people would have been watching it. It was good to make a good first impression to a lot of people who maybe haven’t seen me play. As long as I’m helping the team and the club do well, along with helping myself and my development, I’m happy.”
