Matip second only to Boateng in the Bundesliga
The rise of Jerome Boateng from Manchester City misfit to premier central defender has been a rather mysterious one.
The Bayern man is now considered the best centre back in the Bundesliga.
But Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann reckons Joel Matip, bound for Liverpool this summer, is second to him.
“He’s our best player and one of the best centre backs in Germany,” Fährmann told
The Set Pieces.
“I think Jerome Boateng is the best [centre back] in the league but I think he (Matip) comes straight after or even level with him.”
“He’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met in football. He’s always there for you, always willing to lend an ear,” said Fährmann.
“Even if I make a mistake, he’s willing to take the blame to support me. England can be very happy to have him in the Premier League.”
Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt, meanwhile, had this to say:
“It’s always annoying when a player with quality leaves us. We tried for a long time to stop him leaving us but in the end, Joel Matip decided he wants to do something else and to go in a different direction. In this case, money didn’t play a role and we just have to accept it.
“If Schalke played in the Premeir League, he would have stayed. That’s unfortunately not an option for Schalke,”