Boateng eyes Champions League spot

Jerome Boateng is looking forward to his first Premier League campaign and confident Manchester City will end it with a Champions League spot. City have bought in Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov so far this summer and, with James Milner and Mario Balotelli also targets, Boateng is expecting a good season.He said: "I always wanted to come to England because I like the league very much."Of course, I want to play in the Champions League, but I think with this team, we can do that in a year's time."We must have a good season to get there but we have a great team."Boateng believes the English top-flight is the best league in the world and he has been advised on the rigours ahead by his brother Kevin-Prince, one of the few shining lights for Portsmouth last term."In the Premier League, the football is quicker and harder - and that is why I am here," he said."Without doubt it is the best league in the world. There are just so many great teams - Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham - and that's why I'm here."Spain is good but the best players in the world are here, which is why I think England is better."The fact that my brother has played here gives me a little idea of what to expect."I did not see him play very much but he told me to watch the games. I like the league and this is a great opportunity for me to become a better player."Boateng showed his flexibility in the 2-0 pre-season victory over Valencia on Saturday, striding forward confidently from central defence onto the right wing where he crossed for Gareth Barry's first-half opener.The 21-year-old, who also filled the left-back berth for Germany during the World Cup, insists he will play wherever Mancini tells him to."The manager has said he would play me in the middle and also at right-back," said Boateng."For me, it is no problem. My favourite position is centre-half but I will play wherever the manager says."

Source: Team_Talk