Plymouth Argyle’s Players’ Player of the Year for 2025/26 has said he is “grateful” to be back in action after fearing the worst when he picked up an injury in August.
Malachi Boateng left Adams Park in a knee brace after picking up what looked like a nasty injury. He was sent for scans to assess the extent of injuries, but luckily for him, it wasn’t as bad as first feared.
The midfielder came on in the second half against Reading at the end of October and is now looking ahead to a trip to Sheffield Wednesday.
Malachi Boateng: “The biggest setback I have probably had in my career so far”
Speaking to The Herald, the influential midfielder discusses how it’s the biggest setback he’s had to face in his career:
“The biggest setback I have probably had in my career so far, but it’s one I’m grateful for. It has allowed me to take a step back and look at things, and I’m grateful to be back stronger as well.
“When you are here you want to focus on football, that’s the first thing. Not being able to do that and not being able to help the team was difficult.
“The lads were doing well, lads that I have full faith in as well and a gaffer (Tom Cleverley) I have faith in as well. It was difficult but it was good to see the boys were getting some results, I wasn’t expecting anything different really.”
Boateng also explained how he feared the injury was a lot worse than it turned out to be:
“Initially, once you do it you fear the worst and start over-thinking, I feel like it’s quite normal to do that.
“I got a bit of support from the lads and the gaffer as well, and they just said ‘Wait until the scan comes back’ and luckily it was not as bad as we initially thought.”
Great for Plymouth Argyle
Boateng’s return is great news for Plymouth Argyle. He was key to their squad last season, and having a player of his quality back is only going to boost their chances of success this season.
Last campaign, he was Plymouth’s joint top assister with eight. The 24-year-old was tied at the top with Lorent Tolaj and Ronan Curtis. He also created eight big chances, the third most of any player in the team.
Playing deeper in the midfield, Boateng was responsible for breaking up opposition attacks. According to Sofascore he ended the season with 0.8 interceptions per game, 2.1 tackles per game, 1.7 clearances per game, and recovered 3.3 balls per game.
He did chip in with some goals as well last season. He scored five goals, averaging one shot per game and 0.3 shots on target per game.
Plymouth Argyle having the kind of creative threat back is great news for Tom Cleverley, especially as his side prepare for a tough test against Sheffield Wednesday.
