Boateng was never the best option. He is not the guy to start a game as a striker replacing Suarez. That is the biggest problem with his signing.
BUT, his best use will be when we need to get a goal and change the dynamics of the attack. The last 10/25 minutes of a game in addition to Suarez as a support striker. He has a good first touch, strong hold up play and can lay off the ball well. Someone to lesson the burden of a lone forward and give an aerial threat in-play for Alba, Roberto, Malcom, Coutinho, Dembele to target with crosses.
For those circumstances, and the Bilbao game is one of the first game options we could of looked at that outlet, then Boateng will be OK.
The type of option the club should always have. Rebic went for 2m to Frankfurt in the summer. No he is not World Class, but we would be wise to give the squad striker options like that with players in the 23-27 age group.
Someone who is willing to give it a go as an alternative option for a few seasons, who has some ambition, and his potential is almost maxed out so that he doesn't stagnate if he does not play too much. After a season or two, if they are not happy with the role then move on and rinse and repeat.
But really, having Messi in the squad has allowed the bad planification of overall squad depth to persist for far too long.
