Fans of German football - or even your mate who pretends to be a Bundesliga watcher - will tell you Joel Matip was a bit of a legend during his seven-year stint at Schalke.
For one thing, the six-foot-five Cameroonian netted 17 goals from centre back for his former employers. For another, he's a cousin of Middlesbrough and all-round Premier League legend Joseph-Désiré Job. He's also famously not shy of throwing his weight around and 'imposing his will' on opposition strikers, and that's what he plans on doing to Chelsea's Diego Costa when the Friday Night Football circus rolls into Stamford Bridge tonight.
Speaking to the Telegraph in the UK, Matip explained his approach to Costa and other strikers who might, on occasion, thread the line in their dealings with defenders:
If an opponent tries to talk to me during the game, really, I don’t give a fuck.
I don’t think anyone is like Costa. It is always a fight against these big teams and you have to take on the battle.
And while Matip wouldn't be considered a known giver of fucks by many, the 25-year-old Cameroon international will have further endeared himself to Liverpool fans with the announcement that he's set to miss the African Cup of Nations in order to focus on life at his new club:
I spoke with the Cameroon manager and he was not happy, but I have to do what is right to be 100% and make sure I am not injured again, especially at an important time in my career starting at Liverpool.
Last year I had injury problems. The extra games and travelling were going to make it harder for me. I had to listen to my body and it told me that the international week was the right time to have a break.
This guy is going to be a bit of a character. That clash with Costa tonight could be biblical.
