Jerome Boateng expects to attain Champions League football with Manchester City

Manchester City defender Jerome Boateng is confident his new employers have the ability to break into the top four of the Premier League this season and gain coveted Champions League football for 2011-12.

The German international full-back signed for City this summer, in a deal worth £15 million from Hamburg, and admits he's excited about playing in what he believes is the best league in the world.

"I always wanted to come to England because I like the league very much," Boateng told the Press Association.

"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 also insists he's ready to play in the Premier League and knows exactly what to expect, having taken advice from his brother Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has played for Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur.

“In the Premier League, the football is quicker and harder - and that is why I am here," he added.

"Without doubt it is the best league in the world. There are just so many great teams - Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham [Hotspur] - 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 is known for his versatility and can play in any of the four defensive positions, an attribute that is certainly a huge plus for the Eastlands side.

Although he believes his favoured position is centre-back, he stated is willing to play anywhere so long as he can find a starting place in manager Roberto Mancini’s star-studded side.

"The manager [Roberto Mancini] has said he would play me in the middle and also at right-back," Boateng added.

 "For me, it is no problem. My favourite position is centre-half but I will play wherever the manager says."

Boateng is one of four new faces at Eastlands, with Mancini also signing David Silva, Yaya Toure and Aleksandar Kolarov in an attempt to deliver Champions League football to the club's owners, something which City narrowly missed out on last year.

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