Paul Pogba

[Socrates 8296]

Man City lead Pogba race

Jul 6, 2014

L’Equipe claim Juventus starlet Paul Pogba sparked a bidding war between Manchester City, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The midfielder’s price-tag has only climbed after his performances for France in the World Cup.

According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Manchester City have climbed into the lead in the race to sign Pogba, seeing him as the ideal replacement for unsettled Yaya Touré.

As Touré is heading towards PSG, that would rule the Parisians out of the race for Pogba.

City have the funds to reach Juve’s price-tag, which is believed to be anything from €80m to €100m.

Real Madrid are also contenders, though are unaccustomed to paying such large sums for a midfielder.

Manchester United want Pogba back, but having released him as a teenager when his contract expired, they would have to pay a huge sum for his return.

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Pogba linked with Chelsea switch

Jul 11, 2014

Reports in the British Press claim that Paul Pogba could be a transfer target for Chelsea, with the midfielder being spotted in London.

The France international has been seen near the Premier League side’s Stamford Bridge home in the English capital whilst on his summer break.

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bianconeri after becoming one of the club’s most important players in their Scudetto success.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United are all rumoured to be interested in his services, but The Independent have indicated that Jose Mourinho could be keen in bringing Pogba to the Blues.

However, with Cesc Fabregas joining from Barcelona earlier in the summer, it seems unlikely that Roman Abramovich will bankroll another big-money move.

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Pogba, Depay & Varane up for
Best Young Player award

The France duo and Netherlands rising star have been nominated
for the prize following ther performances at the World Cup.

Jul 11, 2014

Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay are the three nominees for the Fifa Best Young Player award for World Cup 2014.

The accolade is open to World Cup participants born on or after January 1 1993, from which Fifa's Technical Study Group will select a winner after the final.

Pogba, who won the Golden Ball prize for the best player at the 2013 Under-20 World Cup, starred in France's midfield and scored the opening goal during Les Bleus' 2-0 win over Nigeria in the round of 16.

Varane started all but one of France's five tournament games in the centre of defence and showed signs of a return to his very best Real Madrid form from the 2012-13 campaign, though he was arguably at fault for Mats Hummels' winner in the quarter-final against Germany.

After beginning the World Cup as a substitute and entering the record books as Netherlands' youngest ever goalscorer against Australia, PSV star Depay cemented his place in Louis van Gaal's plans when he scored the second in the 2-0 win over Chile. Depay then became his country's youngest starter since 1938 against Costa Rica.

Lionel Messi, Neymar and Arjen Robben are among the nominees for the Golden Ball award for best player at the World Cup, while Manuel Neuer, Keylor Navas and Sergio Romero will battle for the Golden Glove prize.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba up for World Cup Award

Jul 12, 2014

Paul Pogba, Sergio Romero and Neymar are among the nominees for FIFA’s World Cup awards.

France and Juventus midfielder Pogba reached the shortlist decided by FIFA’s Technical Study Group, who will also pick the winner.

He is nominated for the Young Player Award along with France teammate Raphael Varane and Dutchman Memphis Depay.

FIFA also announced the Golden Ball nominees for player of the tournament in Brazil.

They are Angel Di Maria (Argentina), Mats Hummels (Germany), James Rodriguez (Colombia), Toni Kroos (Germany), Philipp Lahm (Germany), Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Thomas Muller (Germany), Arjen Robben (Netherlands) and Neymar (Brazil).

Argentina and Sampdoria goalkeeper Sergio Romero is nominated for the Golden Glove Award as best goalkeeper of the World Cup.

He fights it out with Germany shot-stopper Manuel Neuer and Keylor Navas of Costa Rica.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba agent ends Chelsea talk

Jul 12, 2014

Paul Pogba’s agent laughed off reports of a move to Chelsea as “just fantasy football. He’s perfect at Juventus.”

The rumours emerged after Pogba was spotted in London this week, but Mino Raiola assured he was simply on vacation.

“Paul to Chelsea? It’s just fantasy football,” agent Mino Raiola told Tuttosport.

“Everything is perfect at Juventus and no meetings are planned.”

Pogba is on his holidays after France went out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

His performances in the tournament earned him a nomination for the FIFA Young Player Award.

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Rodriguez, Messi, Neuer and Pogba awards

Jul 13, 2014

James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot, Leo Messi the Golden Ball and Paul Pogba voted best young player at the World Cup.

The tournament concluded in Rio de Janeiro tonight with Germany beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time.

There were other trophies to be handed out, as Rodriguez of Colombia is the top scorer with six goals despite going out in the quarter-final stage.

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer received the Golden Glove as best goalkeeper.

Messi was on the losing side in the Final, but was handed the Golden Ball after he was voted best player of the competition.

Juventus midfielder Pogba beat France teammate Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay of the Netherlands to be voted best young player of the World Cup.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba: Happy for this award

Jul 14, 2014

Paul Pogba has briefly commented on being handed the Best Young Player Award at the close of the World Cup.

On from Germany’s success in defeating Argentina after extra time on Sunday night, the Juventus man was announced as having beaten out France teammate Raphael Varane and Memphis Depay of the Netherlands to be voted best young player of the World Cup.

“Happy for this award,” Pogba responded through his Twitter account overnight.

“Thanks @equipedefrance who without whom it would not make sense. The goal remains #EURO2016!!”

[Socrates 8296]

How Juventus Can Improve
If They Sell Paul Pogba

Jul 25, 2014

Paul Pogba has been a revelation since joining Juventus, going from being a peripheral figure at Manchester United to two-time Serie A champion and a member of the France World Cup squad. His rise has been incredible to witness, and there is every chance he could mature into one of the best midfielders on the planet.

At just 21, the Lagny-sur-Marne native has excelled in Turin, despite still having started just 70 professional matches, according to stats site WhoScored.com. Last term, he featured in all but two of Juve’s league games, notching seven goals and the same number of assists, per the same source.

He has blossomed into one of the finest prospects in Europe, coveted by a number of clubs despite his agent insisting he is going nowhere. “Everything is perfect at Juventus and no meetings are planned,” Mino Raiola told TuttoSport (h/t Yahoo Sport) when asked about interest from Chelsea earlier this month.

In that same interview, he also said that Pogba moving was “just fantasy football,” but what if that became reality, what if Juventus decided to cash in on the talented midfielder? While sacrificing Arturo Vidal makes little sense—a theory expanded upon here—an argument for selling Pogba now can be rationalised far more easily.

There would be no shortage of deep-pocketed suitors, with Paris Saint-Germain, per Le Parisien (via Stefan Coerts of Goal.com), and his former employers at Old Trafford, per Matt Dickenson, Gary Jacob and George Caulkin of The Times (subscription required), joining Chelsea in being strongly linked with a move for Pogba.

Where Vidal embodies everything positive about this Juventus and is clearly the club’s best player, his midfield colleague can—and often is—ably replaced by the likes of Claudio Marchisio. The latter lost his place to the young Frenchman, but his statistical output rivals Pogba’s reasonably well.

Looking at WhoScored once again, they completed an almost identical number of tackles, Pogba averaging 2.3 to Marchisio’s 2.2 per game. The latter held the edge in interceptions—1.4 per appearance to 1.0—whilst passing more accurately to complete 86.7 per cent to Pogba’s 83.8.

With the Bianconeri looking to win now, as well as in the future, Marchisio is able to carry the load in the present despite his team-mate possessing a much higher ceiling in the future. A sale for the sums discussed would allow Juventus to add other pieces, too, finally handing La Madama the resources to compete with Europe’s greatest clubs.

Seeing the likes of Real Madrid win the Champions League, then adding Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez to their squad leaves others trailing in their wake. Moves for two of the World Cup’s finest players that Juventus have missed out on in Alexis Sanchez and Juan Manuel Iturbe highlights just how great the gap has become.

Their last two Champions League campaigns have also shown Juve to still be somewhat short when matched against the elite teams, lacking the weapons to unlock the finest defences. Having the money from a potential Pogba sale would allow the Bianconeri to contest for the signature of these players more keenly, adding genuine star quality to an already talented squad.

Alvaro Morata is a step in the right direction, but others such as Xherdan Shaqiri would allow Juventus to make the necessary leap to join those truly giant clubs once again. The Bayern Munich forward discussed a possible move with TuttoSport earlier this week (h/t Football Italia), but the money is likely to once again be the stumbling block.

Selling Pogba before he is the finished product may sound sacrilegious to supporters of the club, but sacrificing a major talent is not new territory for the club. The reigning Italian champions sold both Roberto Baggio and Zinedine Zidane when the team belonged to Alessandro Del Piero, a similar scenario to cashing in on the French youngster when Vidal is the star of the show.

It might hurt, it might seem like a mistake, but if the money was reinvested properly, selling Paul Pogba could actually improve Juventus.

[Socrates 8296]

Tuttosport has thrown out some figures
regarding Paul Pogba's potential contract extension

Jul 27, 2014

As we've come to learn with Arturo Vidal over these last few months, it doesn't really matter what a contract situation is like, transfer rumors will surround a player like hundreds of bees buzzing about. They will be there, forever annoying the living hell out of you — and probably scaring you at the same time.

Another significant member of Juventus' midfield, Paul Pogba, has seen plenty of transfer stories involving his own name the past 12 months. And there have also been a handful of stories about Pogba and the contract — with the significant pay raise that will accompanying it — he could get in the not-so-distant future. Beppe Marotta has repeatedly said that after Vidal got his new contract, Pogba would be one the next players to get one.

Are those contract talks happening with a potential agreement on the horizon? The always-reliable (lol) Tuttosport seems to think so.

The short version of it:

Juvefc.com @juvefcdotcom
Paul #Pogba is close to renewing his contract with #Juventus. The deal will be until 2019. Pogba will earn €3.2m + €1m bonus. [TS]

This isn't the first time talk of a Pogba contract extension has been brought up. But unlike those times before, we're actually getting some kind of figures — no matter if they're close to the truth or far from it — to go along with the it. This could be the baseline from where the Juventus management and Pogba's reps (most notably Secret Agent Mino) begin talks, it could be some close to the difference as to where they'll try and agree on something.

Right now, we're not so sure.

But even with Pogba taking a vacation for a day or two in London making the British press lose their minds and go completely bonkers, it's not exactly like the sheer number of continuous transfer rumors are anywhere close to that of Vidal this summer. Sure, there was the initial freakout when Antonio Conte stepped down nearly two weeks ago, but they've subsided quite a bit. And it's not like Pogba's reps have given any indication that their client wants to move to another club before the summer transfer window is closed.

That means, by all accounts, Pogba is still happy in Turin. And because he's happy, he will still have the desire to stay around in Turin for the somewhat immediate future. Maybe not for the rest of his career because it's so rare for players to do that these days, but for a good amount of time as he becomes even that much more of an important part of the squad no matter who the manager is.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba agrees Juve contract

Jul 27, 2014

Italian papers are confident Paul Pogba will renew his Juventus contract to 2018 or even 2019.

The midfielder is hot property on the transfer market, catching the attention of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Today two of Italy’s three major sports newspapers have as their front page news Pogba has agreed a renewal with the Bianconeri.

They differ on the details, as the Corriere dello Sport claims the expiry is set for June 2018.

Tuttosport, on the other hand, insist the contract will last until June 2019.

The wages are thought to be €3.2m per season, plus a further €1m in performance-related bonuses for the 21-year-old.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba to be given new attacking role - Allegri

The coach explained where he will play the talented Frenchman, while the midfielder
himself stressed pre-season training under Antonio Conte's replacement is going well.

Aug 5, 2014

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has revealed his plans to utilise Paul Pogba in a more attacking role this season as he bids to succeed Antonio Conte in style.

The Bianconeri won three Scudetti in a row and dominated Italian football under Conte but, following the coach's resignation last month over frequent disagreements with the board, Allegri was handed the Turin reins this summer.

Pogba, brought to Serie A from Manchester United two years ago, is one of Juve's prize possessions, stamped his authority on the first team last season but Allegri claims that the French midfielder will be ushered into a more forward-minded role in 2014-15.

"I will try to use Pogba more in attack," the coach told reporters in Indonesia as Juventus embark on a tour of South East Asia.

"He is one of the best young players in the world, with enormous technical and physical qualities. Having said that, there is also still plenty of room for improvement."

Pogba and fellow Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal have been persistently linked with a transfer away from Italy this summer but Allegri says both are content with life in Turin.

"Vidal and Pogba are delighted to be here and I am delighted to coach them," the former AC Milan coach added.

Pogba, who claims he has no plans to leave the reigning Italian champions, was equally gushing with praise for his new trainer and says Juventus have adjusted to life without Conte with ease.

"Conte and Allegri are two of the best coaches around and the atmosphere was immediately pretty good," the France international stated.

"We are motivated and ready to work successfully with Allegri. Conte's gone and now we have Allegri, we are ready to work together in absolute harmony.

"I am very happy to play for Juve, I am just focused on playing right now, the future does not concern me, I live in the present.

"I am not thinking of my contract and do not have meetings scheduled with Juventus chiefs. My goal is to continue to do well on the pitch."

[Socrates 8296]

‘Good feeling with Allegri immediately’

Aug 5, 2014

Paul Pogba says that just as with Antonio Conte, the feeling with new Coach Massimiliano Allegri was ‘good and pretty immediate’.

The Old Lady is out in Indonesia at the moment for the first leg of their tour of Asia and Oceania, with their new Coach and France international midfielder first to face the media.

“I am honoured to be here, it’s a good thing to prepare for the coming season in Asia,” Pogba has commented to reporters sat alongside Allegri.

“This wonderful reception has surprised us. It is nice to be in Jakarta and we hope to have fun, tomorrow in the field. And to keep you entertained during the friendly.”

“The difference between Conte and Allegri? They are two of the greatest Coaches, with both the feeling was good and pretty immediate.

“We are motivated, ready to work well with Allegri. Conte has gone and now there is Allegri. We met recently, we talked a little over the weekend, we are ready to work together with absolute harmony.”

Inevitably Pogba was also asked about his future.

“I am very happy to play for Juve, I am just focused on work at this moment. The future does not concern me, I live in the present.

“I am not thinking of the contract and do not have meetings scheduled with Agnelli or Marotta.

“My goal is to continue to do well in the field.”

[Socrates 8296]

'I'm not interested in the future' -
Pogba committed to Allegri and Juventus

The France midfielder says he is not planning any discussions over a new deal
or a transfer and claims he is ready to work "in complete harmony" with his new boss.

Aug 5, 2014

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has insisted he is not interested in rumours over his future and has stressed he is fully committed to the club.

The France international has been linked with a number of European giants following his exemplary performances for club and country, with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea among those reportedly considering offers.

Juve director Pavel nedved admitted earlier this summer that the Italian champions would be forced to consider any "high bids" for Pogba or Arturo Vidal and the departure of head coach Antonio Conte has served to increase the rumours over the duo's future.

Pogba, however, has made it clear he is not considering a possible move in the coming weeks.

"I'm not interested in the future. I live in the present. I'm working well on the pitch, I'm not thinking about my contract and I've not scheduled meetings with Allegri and [president Andrea] Agnelli," the Frenchman told reporters.

New head coach Allegri revealed he plans a more attacking role for Pogba in 2014-15 and the 21-year-old admitted he is relishing the prospect of working under the former AC Milan boss.

"Allegri and Conte are both great coaches. I've had a good feeling from the start.

Conte is now gone and now we have Allegri. We met briefly, we talked a little over the weekend and we're ready to work together in complete harmony."

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba: 'Australian Juve fans amazing'

Aug 9, 2014

Paul Pogba was amazed by the reception Juventus received in Australia ahead of their A-League All-Stars match.

The Bianconeri continue their pre-season tour and after Indonesia they touched down in Sydney for tomorrow’s game.

“I’m surprised still now to see a lot of fans here outside Europe that we didn’t know,” Pogba told media after a training session attended by over 3,000 people.

“It’s very good for them when you come here because it’s hard for them to see the team in Australia because it’s quite far.

“But it’s good for us as well to see that we have a lot of fans outside Europe.”

As always, the 21-year-old France international was asked about his future amid interest from PSG, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

“Like I said in Jakarta, I’m just focused on the pitch and on Juventus and doing great things on the pitch.

“I haven’t spoken with any manager or with anyone about my contract so for me I’m just staying focused and training hard.”

Pogba was also questioned on Arturo Vidal’s on-going transfer saga with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

“Of course, I hope he will stay. He’s injured at the moment and he’s trying to get fit. We want him to stay at Juventus. For the moment he is here so we won’t speak about him leaving.”

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‘No Pogba renewal talks set’

Aug 21, 2014

Paul Pogba’s entourage has reportedly downplayed Beppe Marotta’s assertion yesterday that a renewal at Juventus was imminent.

The director general yesterday commented that talks with the France international over an improved contract could be resolved ‘quickly’.

However, L’Equipe are running quotes attributed to the player’s ‘entourage’ that suggest otherwise.

“No appointment has been made and no discussions are planned,” the French publication quotes an unnamed source from the player’s camp.

“Paul is happy in Turin. Now, generally so, the last 10 days of the transfer window ahead are important and hectic.”

Pogba is represented by Mino Raiola, who is reportedly in England today as talks between Milan and Liverpool for Mario Balotelli’s transfer gather pace.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba's agent: No contract talks with Juventus

The Frenchman’s representative has dismissed suggestions by Juve’s
general manager Beppe Marotta that discussions had started over a new deal.

Aug 21, 2014

Paul Pogba’s agent has stated that no contract talks with Juventus are underway, despite general manager Beppe Marotta claiming a renewal was close.

Pogba, who joined the Turin club on a free from Manchester United in 2012, is currently tied to the Bianconeri until 2016 but reportedly drew interest from several of Europe’s top clubs this summer.

And now it would seem that Marotta’s remarks that "talks to renew Pogba’s contract are underway" are wide of the mark.

"There has not been and there is no meeting with Juventus," Pogba’s agent told L’Equipe.

"We can repeat, however, that for now, Paul is fine in Turin."

The 21-year-old was one of the mainstays in Juve's title winning team last season, making 36 appearances in Serie A, before going on to feature in each of France’s five World Cup games under Didier Deschamps.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba set for renewal

Aug 22, 2014

It is reported that Paul Pogba will soon sign a new contract that will keep him at Juventus for another five years.

Should he do so, the French midfielder will put an end to months of speculation over his long term future with the Old Lady.

The 21-year-old’s impressive performances since joining from Manchester United have made him one of the most sought after young talents in world football, with the likes of Real Madrid rumoured to be interested in securing his services.

However, Sport Mediaset say that the player has been offered a new deal with wages of between €4m and €5m per season, depending on bonuses.

Should he sign, he would become one of Italy’s highest paid players. While it is still unclear whether he will do so, Juve are hopeful he will.

[Socrates 8296]

On Paul Pogba's rumored contract extension

Aug 24, 2014

It is no secret that Juve's two biggest commodities are Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal. Sure, Juventus has plenty of other players that will fetch the club a lot of money, but the two central midfielders have the most value in the whole squad. Vidal has been the subject of much speculation for the last little while, with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich rumored to be interested in the player. Our director sportivo, Beppe Marotta, has been quoted saying the same things over and over again:

"Vidal will only be sold he asks to leave."

More recently, Marotta said the following in case a player requested a move:

"Obviously there are also some timing issues to fulfill such a request."

Curiously, as far as I know, Marotta has said little about the club getting fair remuneration if a player asked to leave. While the Roma camp go out and put a €100 million price tag on Kevin Strootman, Juventus have never been caught saying that Vidal is worth X amount of dollars or euros. It has always been about the player's desire to move, not about the club making a profit.

The Ciro Immobile transfer showed that Marotta meant the statements above. Immobile found a club he wanted to play for and Juventus and Torino were keen on cashing in on the Naples native; a win-win-win if you will. The timing of the operation was right, although if Immobile did more at the World Cup, Juventus would have looked foolish. However, just like with the Vidal case, Marotta didn't offer the player to the highest suitor. Actually, there was no highest suitor because Marotta didn't seem bothered to start a bidding war for the Cappocannoniere of the 2013-14 season.

At this point you may be asking, how does this relate to Pogba?

Pogba is arguably the biggest asset at Juventus. You know that, I know that, Pogba knows that, Raiola knows that, and the management knows that. You know who also knows? Every soccer club on the face of the earth. Of course, the value of this asset decreases as his contract gets closer to its expiry date and that is where the issue lies. If sold this summer, Pogba could have fetched a nice sum, next summer things may be different. If a bidding war starts Juventus can get a lot of money. If however, Pogba is set on joining one club and one club only, our biggest prize can be walking out the door for pennies on the dollar.

With that being said, am I happy Pogba is staying for the season? You bet! But I will be elated the moment he signs that extension. Take home message here is :Juventus wants Pogba to renew.

Pogba is a smart kid, and he knows that at this moment his destiny is in his hands. One more year at Juve can only be helpful, and after that, forcing a transfer or waiting another year and moving for free will allow him all the freedom in the world. Pogba is also ambitious, and I think he sees that he has won everything at Juventus that he can win with the club. Whether that is true or not is a matter for another time.

So from his point of view why should he sign an extension? More money? He knows that in five years he'll be making more than he can count. More playing time? Juventus are not going to bench him even if he doesn't sign an extension. There is really little driving force to sign a contract extension if he has decided that his chances of getting what he really wants, that is trophies and not money, lies elsewhere. Take home message here is: Pogba may not be very interested in signing an extension if it means he is shackled to a club he doesn't want to be part of anymore.

So maybe Beppe's reassurances to Vidal over the last few months have been aimed at Pogba, and not at the Chilean. After all, Vidal has stated time and again that he wants to remain in Turin and his contract until 2017 a few months ago are a testament to this. Juventus are essentially saying to Pogba sign the contract extension, we will pay you as much as we can (over €4 million allegedly) and when you are ready to go, we won't hold you back. We ask that the move is done with reasonable timing but that's it. You are free to go when you want to.

So why not hold out for an astronomical transfer fee once his contract is extended?

Because Mino Raiola is his agent. The moment Pogba requests to leave, Mino will ensure the biggest splash is made on the transfer market. While Marotta has never put a price to any of Juve's players Raiola has not been as coy. Among other things, he has said that Pogba is worth twice as much as Bale. If Juventus get what Totthenham got for Bale, I will learn to live without the Frenchman.

I never thought Pogba would stay at Juve and become a legend with our club. His move from Manchester to Juventus showed that the player is hungry for success and trophies. Pogba will surely move when trophies dry out, or when he is unable to play the big games in Europe year in and year out. I am okay with this, but the club needs a big pay day when young Paul does say his goodbyes. If Marotta needs to reassure the player in any way, shape or form, no matter how weak he looks, I'm all up for it.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba: Juventus can win without Conte

It has been suggested that the Bianconeri will struggle to win a fourth successive
Scudetto - but the midfielder insists that they need only remain concentrated.

Aug 27, 2014

Paul Pogba insists that Juventus can continue winning under Massimiliano Allegri, arguing that the new coach is not so different to predecessor Antonio Conte.

Bianconeri fans were left stunned when Conte sensationally parted company with the Turin club by mutual consent in July, after winning three successive Serie A titles with the Old Lady.

Their shock turned to anger when Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked by rivals AC Milan midway through last season, was promptly hired as a replacement but Pogba sees no reason for concern ahead of the start of Juve's Scudetto defence this weekend.

"We know him a little more now and everyone is good with him," the France international told reporters on Thursday. "That he's different to another coach is normal.

"For me, it's the first change of coach, but we feel good with him, also on the field, and there are not so many differences to Conte.

"It's true that Conte had a different style, but does not mean that we cannot win [with Allegri].

"We know that we can win if we are concentrated, as Juve have been in these last three years."

However, Pogba admitted that his primary aim now is to help the Bianconeri end their 18-year wait for a third European Cup triumph.

"The Champions League is not an obsession, but an objective and a dream, as it is for all players," the midfielder told reporters. "It's a goal and I really want to win it."

Pogba also confessed that he feels perfectly placed to emerge as a leader on and off the field this season, revealing he has learned much from Juve veteran duo Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo.

"I feel older," he mused. "I'm more mature and grown-up because I'm 21 now.

"But playing and training with Buffon and Pirlo makes you grow."

[Socrates 8296]

Juve to discuss Pogba deal

Aug 29, 2014

France Football suggests that Juventus officials will today meet with Paul Pogba’s representatives to discuss a possible renewal.

A new contract has been on the cards for the 21-year-old for most of the summer, since speculation over a possible move away was ended.

Whilst Beppe Marotta hinted recently that an agreement on an extension was close, members of the player’s entourage were quoted in French media as denying this.

However, now France Football are running the line that officials from the Bianconeri will meet with those representing Pogba to assess the possibility of negotiating a new contract.

The midfielder’s current deal expires in June 2016 and previous suggestions have been that Juve are prepared to up his annual salary from its current €1m mark to around the €4m level.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba Set For Contract Extension

Aug 31, 2014

Juventus are set to enter contract negotiations with midfielder Paul Pogba after the close of the transfer window to extend their relationship with the France international.

Pogba, who is one of Europe’s most highly rated midfielders, has been linked with a move away from Turin after two successful seasons in Serie A, in which the Bianconeri won two league titles.

After being linked with a return to former club Manchester United for several months, Tuttosport reports that Pogba is ready to commit his future to Juventus in a five-year agreement which would see the Frenchman earn €5 million per season plus performance related bonuses.

Once the transfer window has closed, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is set to meet Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta to negotiate the final details of the extension.

The 21-year-old moved to The Old Lady in 2012 and has gone on to score 12 goals in 62 appearances and featured for France during World Cup this summer.

[Socrates 8296]

Chelsea, Manchester United And Real Madrid
Prepare For Pogba Fight

Sep 3, 2014

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba may be the subject of a bidding war next summer, as the player attempts to win his third consecutive Serie A title.

The French international attracted no official bids in the 2014 summer transfer window, but the Bianconeri are aware of at least four clubs who are heavily interested in the player.

L’Equipe report that Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have all shortlisted the 21-year-old as a potential recruit for next season.

Pogba recently renewed his Juventus contract until 2019, which would drive his market value up even more should a bid arrive in a future window.

The former Manchester United player scored seven league goals during last season’s campaign.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba: Conte can bring nastiness to Italy

The France star is confident his former coach is the right man to lead his country
forward and has praised the "unique potential" of team-mate Kingsley Coman.

Sep 6, 2014

Juventus and France star Paul Pogba believes Antonio Conte will restore a "nastiness" to Italy that will make them tough to beat.

The midfielder enjoyed back-to-back Scudetto successes under Conte before he stepped down as Juve boss to succeed Cesare Prandelli with the national team this summer.

Conte's reign got off to the perfect start as they beat Netherlands 2-0 in a friendly in midweek and Pogba is confident the Azzurri will benefit from the former midfielder's tenacious approach.

"Conte can give Italy the right nastiness. He is a special tactician and a person who works very hard," he was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.

Pogba was at the heart of France's 1-0 win over Spain and he admitted he was thrilled to record a first-ever victory over the European champions.

"I finally beat Spain. It had never happened, not even at youth level," he said.

"It's a success for the fans. The group is progressing, there is always a good spirit and we feel better."

Pogba also had high praise for compatriot Kingsley Coman, who joined Juve from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer.

"Coman? He's a fantastic player who has a unique potential that few possess. He will give a positive thing to Juve. Juve will do great things with [Massimiliano] Allegri," the 21-year-old added.

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba is the new Zidane, says Tacchinardi

The Juventus icon believes that he is swiftly becoming the best midfielder in football
and says it will be a "miracle" if the Scudetto holders continue to keep hold of him.

Sep 6, 2014

Paul Pogba is a "pure diamond" of a player and is built in the mould of Juventus and France legend Zinedine Zidane, according to Alessio Tacchinardi.

The 21-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Turin since his free transfer from Manchester United two years ago, winning back-to-back Scudetti under Antonio Conte's tutelage.

Tacchinardi, who won 17 trophies during his time at Juventus, believes he is one of the few players of the planet who can make the difficult look infinitely easy and suggested that "the age of Pogba" will dawn in the coming seasons.

"Pogba is a pure diamond," he told Corriere dello Sport. "He has grown up to become a devastating player. Ever since his first Juve game, I thought he was an extraordinary player.

"He has the ability to make the very complex appear so simple, dissolving tricky situations. Before watching Pogba, I had only observed four people with whom I had played like that: Juan Roman Riquelme at Villarreal, Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero at Juventus, and Francesco Totti for Italy.

"There are some midfielders who define an era. This will be the age of Pogba, he is the prototype central midfielder that any coach would want as he can play offensively or defensively."

Tacchinardi also ridiculed how Manchester United could let a player of such obvious talent leave, after the player fell out with the club over a lack of playing time and what he saw as being undervalued.

"It's absurd," he added. "Certain talents are just innate. Congratulations to Juve chief Giuseppe Marotta who bagged him on a free transfer.

"He would have exploded anywhere but the environment at Juve certainly helped."

Juventus were forced to fend off numerous suitors to hold on to him over the past few months, if reports are to be believed, and Tacchinardi confessed he was stunned that new coach Massimiliano Allegri kept hold of the Frenchman.

"Keeping him this summer was a miracle," the former defensive midfielder added. "But keeping him for a long time would be an even bigger miracle.

"Juventus are perfect for him, but some clubs in Europe can offer absurd wages. I think someone like Paul Pogba is worth at least €80 million, but whoever signs him has their midfield sorted for a decade or more."

[Socrates 8296]

Pogba On Verge Of Renewing Contract

Sep 6, 2014

Juventus have reportedly offered a new contract to their young French midfielder Paul Pogba and he is ready to sign.

The Bianconeri are keen to tie the player down to a new contract in an attempt to ward off interest from the big European clubs that are monitoring his development.

According to Tuttosport, a three year extension that will keep him with Juventus until 2019 has been agreed on in principle and the Old Lady are ready to offer him big wages that are suitable for a ‘top player.’

The club is optimistic and believes that the player is ready to sign and are waiting for the relevant parties to formally put pen to paper.

Pogba caught the eye in France’s 1-0 friendly win over Spain and was described as a ‘pure diamond’ by former Juve defender Alessio Tacchinardi.

The former Manchester United player made 36 appearances for Juventus during the 2013/14 Serie A season and scored seven goals as the Bianconeri won their third successive Scudetto.