Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 8y

Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng: Hummels deal won't change my role

Jerome Boateng does not expect his Bayern Munich role to change when Mats Hummels joins from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Boateng and Hummels, both 27, are set to form Germany's central defensive partnership at the European Championship in France next month and will then link up at Bayern next season.

BVB captain Hummels' final game for his current side will be the DFB Pokal against Bayern at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on Saturday.

Boateng told kicker: "This last match for Dortmund before he joins us will not be easy for him [but] he's certainly highly motivated to say goodbye with a trophy."

Boateng, who joined Bayern from Manchester City in 2011, will be expected to play a leading role in organising the defence on Saturday and he insists he will retain that same sense of responsibility next season.

"There will be no major changes for me with Mats as my new partner," Boateng said. "For the most part, I don't care who plays at my side. I will stay in my position, and I still see myself as the defensive leader."

Boateng had failed to convince during his solitary season in England with City, but he has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe over the course of his five years at the Allianz Arena.

"I think I have improved in every department," he said.

Boateng, who has been sent off six times in 209 Bundesliga games for Hertha Berlin, Hamburg and Bayern, added: "I am more patient now in the one-on-one situations and not go dashing into them like before.

"When we lose the ball, I don't want to win it back directly. I act smarter now, have better anticipation and also start earlier when somebody tries to lob the ball over me. I have improved both feet for my passing game, as well as in the vertical play into attack, whether that be low balls or longer balls."

Hummels' arrival has increased doubts over Medhi Benatia's future at Bayern.

The Morocco defender, 29, is under contract until 2019, but has struggled to live up to expectations since his 2014 switch from Roma.

His agent, Moussa Sissoko, last week said that Benatia is "staying at Bayern" despite rumours of Serie A return, and announced that there would be a meeting with Bayern this week. 

On Tuesday, kicker reported that Bayern would allow the player a transfer if they receive a good offer for him, but Benatia has said he is still waiting for the club to announce their intentions.

"The club have to know what they want," he told kicker. "If they want me to go then they'll have to inform me, and if they want me to stay, I will stay. It's as easy as that."

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