When Kevin-Prince Boateng singed for Tottenham in the summer of 2007 aged 20 years old, he was one of the mostly highly rated talents in world football. Great things were expected of the Ghanaian but he failed to deliver during his time at Spurs.

Boateng only featured for Tottenham 24 times and failed to find the back of the net in his two seasons in North London. He was subsequently loaned out to Borussia Dortmund before finally being sold to Portsmouth. Since then Boateng has played for some big clubs including the likes of AC Milan and Schalke.

The 31-year-old who recently completed a loan move to Barcelona, has now opened up about the problems he faced during his time in London. The midfielder admitted that he lacked professionalism, and partied too much during his spell with the Lillywhites.

Boateng said it took him time to mature and realise the importance of looking after his body. Speaking to Spanish publication, La Vanguardia Boateng said, “Now I weigh 83 kilos.

“That was down to parties (weighing 95kg at Spurs). At Tottenham I didn’t play and I was always with the fans in the stands. In London I was 20 years old. And you go partying, you’re with friends and you eat badly.

“Now I have my cook and I am aware that eating well and being healthy lengthens the career. When you’re young you think that every month the money is going to be there. If you don’t play you don’t care because you have money and ‘friends’ tell you that you are a phenomenon.”