:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59673337/GettyImages-956107844.0.0.jpg)
Jerome Boateng caused a stir with an interview that appeared in Socrates Magazin shortly after his season-ending injury, in which his remarks suggested that the defender was considering a new challenge with another club. Earlier today Boateng briefly set the record straight with Abendzeitung’s Patrick Strasser.
Boateng: "Ich will jetzt fit werden, die WM spielen und dann geht's in die neue Saison mit dem FC Bayern." Mal über Vereinswechsel nachgedacht? "In meinem Alter ist das doch normal. Aber ich habe Vertrag hier und keinerlei Gedanken, wegzugehen. Ich fühle mich wohl hier" #FCB
— Patrick Strasser (@AZ_Strasser) May 8, 2018
Boateng: “I want to get fit now, play in the World Cup, and then the new season starts with Bayern Munich.” Whether he has thought about chancing clubs? “That’s normal at my age. But I’m under contract here and am not thinking at all about going away. I feel good here.”
That is as direct a rebuttal as one could have hoped for from Boateng. Although at least a little speculation about alternatives to Bayern Munich is no doubt justified, it remains highly unlikely that either Boateng or Bayern will willingly part ways.
Focus on the World Cup
For Boateng, the burning question is his fitness to play for Germany at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Boateng discussed his injury with kicker:
In terms of health, I’m feeling better. I don’t think my World Cup is in jeopardy. But I have to be patient. I obviously won’t take any risks and start too soon. The national coach knows exactly that that’s my goal and that it’s absolutely realistic that I’ll join them.