It came as a surprise to many when Kevin-Prince Boateng returned to Serie A in order to join Sassuolo but the Ghanaian international says that he is not in Italy to battle against relegation and the Neroverdi are dreaming big this season.
Previously of AC Milan, Prince spent recent seasons at Las Palmas in LaLiga and the Bundesliga’s Eintracht Frankfurt who, with respect, are not two of their respective nations’ bigger clubs.
“I’m not here for that [fighting for Serie A survival],” Boateng said in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The project at Sassuolo goes far beyond avoiding relegation. Look at the first three games and you will see where our targets are.
“We are aiming high where, perhaps, nobody will expect to see us.”
Previously, Prince has compared himself to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, saying that he could be one of the best in the world had he worked harder. Now showing maturity, the Sassuolo star says that while that was over the top, he does think he could have done more with his career.
“There is only one Ronaldo,” he said. “I know that was wrong but I was young, I wasn’t serious and I was surrounded by the wrong people, unlike today.
“Even now I feel like I could have reached a higher level, despite having a good career.”
Prince gave a special mention to current boss Roberto De Zerbi, while also revealing the coach who taught him the most.
“Klopp [Jurgen] at Dortmund. At that time I needed a motivator – one who spoke to me, even in a harsh way, like a father can do. And he kills you.
“De Zerbi, on the contrary, gives me what I need now: freedom, and with so many options. He is a genius for how he sees football. He is teaching me to always find the right position on the pitch in every situation.”
A trip to face Juventus in Turin awaits Prince and Sassuolo after the international break, but he is not shying away from the challenge that faces him against the Italian champions.
“Playing against Juventus is a special game. Whenever you play against first place, you are taking on the best.
“To take points you have to be perfect and hope that they are not. But we are a team of young people who have the chance to face the strongest players in the world in one of the best stadiums in Europe. What more could you ask for?”
