Manchester City kicked off their summer spending spree in a somewhat low-key style by sealing the £10.5m capture of defender Jerome Boateng from SV Hamburg. The highly-regarded 21 year-old -who agreed terms to a five-year contract prior to the World Cup- is an adaptable player who offers cover at every position across the back four, though, at 6 foot 4, is primarily a centre-half. However, as shown by his displays for Germany at this year’s World Cup, Boateng has no problem filling in at full-back to excellent effect.
Although impressed by the vision of City boss Roberto Mancini, Boateng has credited ex-Hamburg team mate Vincent Kompany in playing a big part in his arrival, explaining:
Opinion…
Big Dunc
“Of all the foreign imports this summer, I reckon Jerome Boateng is possibly the most likely to find his feet quickly in the Premier league.
He’s only 21 but has still got plenty of experience and his strength and versatility should help him adapt to the pace and aggressive nature of English football.
Mancini’s side have a tough start to the campaign against Spurs and Liverpool so I feel there are better options elsewhere initially but he’s one to watch, definitely.”
He told me of the strength of the English game, the passion of the fans and like the coach he spoke of the vision of the club to win trophies. I can’t wait to work with so many top players and show what I can do and become a better player.
The Statistics
Having been part of the Hertha Berlin set-up since childhood, Boateng broke into their first-team as an eighteen year old, making 10 appearances in the 2007-08 season. From there he moved onto SV Hamburg for three years, playing 75 league games and assisting 6 goals in total, before his move to City.
Boateng has also racked up 29 appearances in the UEFA Cup/Europa League competition, scoring 2 goals and picking up 3 assists, and was also one of the main men in the Hamburg team that reached the semi-finals of last season’s Europa League competition.
On the international stage, Boating -along with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira and Manuel Neuer- was part of the Germany U21 team that annihilated England 4-0 in last year’s European Championship Final.
He is looked upon as being an integral member of the German national side for many years to come. He has 15 appearances at U21 level, scoring 1 goal, and so far has featured 10 times at senior level.
The Prospects
With limitless funds available for transfers, Man City have shown that the future of very few players at the club can ever be regarded as safe, in spite of how much cash they cost or how long they have been at Eastlands; the enigmatic Robinho can attest to that.
Opinion…
aCARs
“Jerome Boateng is a likeable defender. Powerful and not afraid of a tackle, I can see him fitting into the Premier League with ease.
But, from a fantasy point of view, Man City defenders don’t scream value unless they have something else to offer.
Given his height, his goal-scoring record is surprisingly unpromising, and when you consider that Joleon Lescott is a proven fantasy favourite and just 0.5m more in FPL, there is only one choice for me.”
Boateng’s adaptability could easily threaten everyone right across the back four; last season’s big money centre-half signings Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott have every reason to be twitchy, as do the likes of Wayne Bridge and Micah Richards at left and right-back respectively. With right-back being his most comfortable full-back position, Richards and Pablo Zabaleta are the ones likeliest to be pushed further down the pecking order or even ushered out the door by the new arrival, as he’s more or less nailed-on to be played there by Mancini.
City’s defence was a real Achilles heel last term; although they finished fifth in the Premier League they conceded 45 goals (letting in 2 or more goals 12 times), and chalked up just 11 clean sheets. Mancini obviously feels that matters need addressing at the back, and Boateng is surely just the beginning of mass-changes through the squad.
Calm and composed on the ball, he is both excellent in the air and on the ground, with a real tough-tackling streak to his nature. With the addition of Yaya Toure to help shield the back four, Mancini’s side are starting to look more secure with every ambitious new signing.
Fantasy Premier League (FPL) have priced him at the £6m mark, and, if he’s given an Eastlands full-back role as expected, Boateng’s pace and stamina down the flank should not just help add solidity to the City defence, but could also see him involved in many of the team’s attacking raids, where he should the odd assist or two to his points tally.