Bayern Coach Says Dejan Lovren Is 'Playing Like 2014 Jerome Boateng', Mats Hummels Responds

As if Dejan Lovren claiming he's one of the best defenders in the world wasn't enough, his compatriot Niko Kovac has compared his performances to Jerome Boateng's displays in Germany's 2014 triumph and Mats Hummels produced a typically comical response to the comments on social media.

"Dejan Lovren has been outstanding during this World Cup. He's playing at the same level of Jerome Boateng in the 2014 World Cup," was the quote from Kovac, who is embarking on his first season in charge of Bayern Munich after replacing the legendary Jupp Heynckes.

And while Lovren deserves a lot of praise for the part he's played in Croatia's run to the final, especially after all the abuse and grief he got, it doesn't seem like Hummels agrees with his new gaffer - though he did concede he couldn't possibly reveal his true thoughts.

The former Borussia Dortmund received a plethora of responses from people wanting him to lift the lid:

Hummels did then also come out to say that he wasn't throwing shade at Liverpool defender Lovren, explaining he's been impressed with his showing in Russia.