After showing glimpses of quality in limited first team opportunities at Bayern both club and player decided it would be best for the promising striker to go out and get some game time. However things have not worked out for player or team with Hamburgs position in the table showing.

Green subsequently opted to spend the current campaign on loan at lowly placed Hamburger SV and, while things haven’t quite gone to plan for the leagues longest serving team so far this term, the likeable 19-year-old remains intent on an improved showing in the Rückrunde.

An interview with Bundesliga.com gave Green an opportunity to shed some light on his time at his new club. When first of all asked about how the recent training camp in Dubai went Green said:

"It was really good. The conditions were perfect. The weather was very hot every day - except for one day when it rained - but we worked hard, with two or three training sessions per day for the most part. The whole team put the effort in and so did I, so we were pleased with how it went". 

Things haven’t gone exactly to plan for Hamburg in the Bundesliga so far this season. Did you focus on improving anything in particular at the training camp?

"We did a lot of work every day, both defensively and on our attack. Probably a bit more on attack because we only scored nine goals in the first half of the season and that isn’t good enough. Otherwise we did the usual - plenty of tactics - all with our number one target of Bundesliga survival in mind".

When asked about his successful stint at Bayern in the reserves last year the 19 year old was happy to Remember what was a important stage in his development and if he could be the much needed goalscorer for HSV after netting 15 in 23 for München's reserves last term.

"I hope so [laughs]. It’s up to the coach. All I can do is keep working hard on my game every day and try to prove myself. That’s what I’ve been doing and I’m sure that if I’m given a chance, I’ll be able to help the team".

You moved to Hamburg on a season-long loan from Bayern at the start of the season - hardly the easy option given the club's stature and the level of expectation there…

"There’s a lot of tradition here at Hamburg and when you say the club’s name,  everyone knows who you’re talking about. That was a big reason for me coming here. I think it’s important as a young player to gain experience and, although I haven’t played much so far, it’s important for my development to see how another club functions, to work with other players and coaches. It’ll all help me in the future".

When questioned about what his own goals and ambitions were the USA international said:

"Obviously I’d like to play more. I’m working hard on that and training as much as I can. I’m sure I could help the team - that’s always been my mentality and I’m very confident in my own ability. I’m just working hard every day and ultimately the coach will decide what happens. I just have to do my bit".

Considering HSV's attacking options it has came as a great shock that they've only managed to score nine goals all season, When asked about what qualities he could add to the side Green replied:

"I’m a striker, so I can score goals - even if I haven’t really been able to show that here yet due to not playing as often. I have to show it in training and that’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve kept a close eye on my development, staying behind to do extra work in training, practising my shooting and so on, working on my strengths and ability".

What are your ambitions with FC Bayern?

"Longer-term my goal has always been to play for FC Bayern and that remains the case. I haven’t played much here [at Hamburg], but that hasn’t affected my confidence. I have one goal in mind and that’s to play in the Bundesliga and in the best-case scenario that would be for Bayern München. I’m working towards that and, wherever I go in the meantime, that’ll always be the target".

Have you had much contact with Pep Guardiola and Bayern while you’ve been out on loan?

"Not during this loan spell, no. I haven’t spoken to anyone throughout the first half of the season, I’ve just been fully focused on Hamburg and in the summer we’ll see what happens next".

Moving on to the 19 year old's international career with the US national team. It is well known there are a fair few German-Americans in the squad. Do you notice a influence in terms of the way the team plays and works with each other? 

"Yes, we do have a lot of German-Americans in the team and it’s nice for me personally, but I think it’s important that it isn’t just us guys who play well together and get on with one another. We’re a team, together with all the guys from the MLS, and it’s important that we all achieve things together".

Jürgen Klinsmann has led the national team on to great things on the pitch however behind the scenes is unknown and when asked what language the players speak in the changing room Green stated whilst laughing.

"(Laughs) Well the coach [Jürgen Klinsmann] would prefer it if we spoke English as much as possible, but I have to admit that we do slip into German sometimes!".

Why did you choose to represent the USA at senior international level? You were born in Florida, but brought up in Bavaria and played for the various German youth sides…

"Basically it was the discussions I had with Jürgen Klinsmann. He gave me the feeling right from the start that it was the right move. They were good talks and I was convinced straight away. Ultimately I made the decision with my family and friends and I think it was the right one. It’s not like it was a decision against Germany - I had a good chat with [former Germany assistant coach] Hansi Flick too - but in the end I went for the USA".

Having made a huge impression on a universal stage at the World Cup in Brazil how do you feel your career has developed since?

"Obviously the World Cup has been the highlight of my young career so far and since then I’ve been at Hamburg. It’s like two different worlds. After my goal at the World Cup the hype was pretty intense and now I’m here, not playing all that often. But that’s football and I’m not letting it affect me. I’m just getting on with it".

When asked where do you see yourself in a year’s time the teen striker replied:

"That’s difficult to say. I’m not looking that far ahead, to be honest. A lot can happen in a year, so I can’t really say where I see myself. First of all I want to play in the Rückrunde - we’ll have to chat again in a year’s time!."

Quotes and questions via Bundesliga.com