Boumsong loving life at Juve

Jean-Alain Boumsong is happy with his decision to swap The Premiership for Serie B.

The defender left Newcastle United for Juventus in August and is enjoying every minute of life at one of the world's most famous clubs.

Even the fact that Juve are playing in Italy's second flight - following relegation for match-fixing - has not dented Boumsong's enthusiasm.

"I don't have the impression that I'm playing in Serie B," he said.

"I'm playing for Juve, I'm at a great club, I've been offered a medium-term challenge and I have the feeling that it will not slow down my progress.

"Juve's place is not in Serie B and you don't say 'no' to Juve.

"There's a season of purgatory to go through but after that, there could be some very good years.

"You can imagine that I'm not looking forward to playing two years in Serie B."

Boumsong failed to impress English fans during his time at St James' Park, as he was criticised for several poor performances.

However, he believes any mistakes he makes are often blown out of all proportion, and that the bad press he receives is totally unfair.

"I think that criticism of me is excessive," he told L'Equipe.

"It sounds like I do more bad things than good ones. When I'm good, nobody talks about it. When I make blunders, it sounds like that's all I ever do.

"Unfortunately, that's maybe the way my career will go. I don't think it's fair but I've learned how to deal with it.

"I was the target of the English press when I was playing for Newcastle last season.

"It was relentless and stupid. All right, I'm no Beckenbauer but with time I've figured out what I can do and what I can't."