Bayern Munich center-back Jerome Boateng is reportedly set to stay at the club after his disappointing World Cup performances with Germany.
All-in-all, it’s been a disappointing World Cup for Bayern Munich internationals. After Spain’s elimination at the hands of Russia earlier today, the Bavarians are left with only two representatives at the tournament: James Rodriguez and Corentin Tolisso.
No country has been as disappointing, though, as the German national team. Die Mannschaft endured their worst World Cup campaign in history, finishing at the bottom of group F behind Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.
None of Germany’s stars showed up for the tournament. They were all poor individually, but were dreadful as a collective. No offender in particular can be pointed out as the worst of the bunch. However, Jerome Boateng deserves his fair share of criticism.
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The Bayern defender played in only two of Germany’s three group stage matches. He would have been a surefire starter for the third had he not picked up a foolish yellow card in the closing stages of Germany’s match against Sweden.
As is the case with many of his teammates, it’s difficult to find any redeeming qualities in Boateng’s displays against Mexico and Sweden. He was nowhere near the world-class center-back he has proven himself to be in the past several years.
Coming into the 2018 World Cup, Boateng’s future was one of the major talking points surrounding Bayern Munich. The Berlin-born defender has admitted he is considering a move abroad, while Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed that his club would be willing to sell the player for a good offer.
However, according to a report from Sport Bild chief Christian Falk, Boateng is now expected to remain in Bavaria for next season. No offers have arrived due to his disappointing displays with the German national team in Russia.
Transfer-Market of @FCBayern: @JB17Official is expected to stay. No offers after the disappointing world cup of the @DFB_Team
— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) July 1, 2018
When fit and in form, Boateng is one of the best defenders in Europe. But over the past few seasons, fitness has been hard to come by for the player, and his form has blown hot and cold. He doesn’t quite seem the defender he used to be.
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Even if Boateng isn’t sold this summer, Bayern Munich should still invest in a young defender. Both Benjamin Pavard of VfB Stuttgart and Matthijs De Ligt of Ajax are rumored transfer targets of the club. Either player would be a great addition to the squad and a solid player to partner Niklas Sule for the future.