Jérôme Boateng (34) was supposed to be recovering from his knee injury, but Lyon coach Laurent Blanc (57) took him to the training camp in Dubai in December.
The German central defender was unable to play in the two friendlies against Arsenal (0-3) and Liverpool (3-1) due to the after-effects of a meniscus operation, but he was with the team. A good sign for him: the club apparently still relies on the 2014 world champion.
It wasn’t always like that in Lyon. Boateng was sometimes seen more as a problem than a solution. In September 2021, Peter Bosz (59) was the coach and convinced him to sign a two-year contract with Olympique after his Bayern departure. But then the former Borussia Dortmund coach demoted Boateng. Under the Dutchman, the ex-national player had not played a minute this season until October.
Reasons for the Ausboot were allegedly disputes with teammates. According to “L’Équipe”, the defender fought with his then teammate Bruno Guimarães (now Newcastle). Boateng is also said to have not always agreed with Bosz on tactical issues. Then there was the fitness factor. Boateng found it difficult to keep a game at the highest level from start to finish.
The 2014 world champions were gradually eliminated by Bosz last season, but the side did not perform any better defensively and finished eighth in the league. Means: Lyon’s problems were not necessarily his fault.
Coach Peter Bosz brought Boateng to Lyon from FC Bayern in September 2021. But then the former Borussia Dortmund coach demoted the central defender
Bosz had to leave in October. Boateng got another chance under Blanc. The new coach promoted the German to a regular player. Blanc wants to benefit from the experience of the 76-time international and Champions League winner of 2013 and 2020. He needs a defense boss and thinks Boateng is the right man for it. Blanc: “Jérôme knows football a little better than either of his partners and has experienced many situations. I hope he will speak more even though there is still the language barrier.”
Thanks to the new coach, Boateng was able to take part in four league games. He still lacked the rhythm but his performances were quite positive given his short playing time.
First choice again and suddenly everything perfect? It’s not that easy because Boateng is faced with two different problems.
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The first is about the aftermath of his ex-girlfriend’s assault charges. In November, he was sentenced to a fine of 1.2 million euros by the Munich Regional Court – after which he appealed. At Lyon, the defender is left alone but Blanc admits: “His personal situation is complex for him, for us and for the club. Let’s let time pass.”
The second problem concerns the meniscus injury he suffered in the game against Marseille (0-1) just before the World Cup break. Boateng underwent surgery and has since been trying to find the form he had worked so hard to regain.
Nevertheless, Boateng’s time in France seems to be coming to an end: It is very unlikely that he will get a new contract in Lyon…
*The author is a reporter at the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe”
