If one were to judge Kevin-Prince Boateng based on his Spurs career, they would be well within their rights to write him off as a non-entity who would fail to make his mark in the game. The Ghanaian made just 14 league appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit during a two-year spell having been seduced by the London nightclub scene. Since then, however, he has appeared in an FA Cup final with Portsmouth, played in the Champions League for the likes of AC Milan and Schalke 04 and scored in two World Cup campaigns. His reputation has grown considerably since Spurs boss Martin Jol reluctantly welcomed the former Hertha Berlin midfielder into his squad seven years ago.
It was difficult at Spurs. Their sporting director Damien Comolli wanted to sign me - it was not Martin Jol. Over Martin Jols head, he decided to sign me so I went there and was happy. Martin Jol told me, I didnt want to sign you, you are a good player but I dont have time for you. I had just turned 20 and it was like a punch in the face. It was like, wow, okay. Jol thought I was a defensive midfielder. Thats where he put me all the time in training. He just wanted to concentrate on the defence. Im not a defensive midfielder - I like to go forward, I like to get into the box and get into positions and score. - Kevin-Prince Boateng, September 2009.
Boateng has since established himself as a fine midfielder in European footballer, and would slot in perfectly alongside a more defensive-minded partner at White Hart Lane should he return.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
