Paul Pogba

[Socrates 8414]

 

Barcelona looked ridiculous with Pogba bid – Laporta

The presidential candidate says the standing administration showed
their incompetence in their failed attempt to seal a deal for the Juventus star.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2015/07/03/13260552/-?

 
Jul 3, 2015

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta says the club made themselves look ridiculous in their failed bid for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

Laporta is currently hot on the campaign trail as he prepares to challenge standing president Josep Maria Bartomeu at the ballots on July 18.

In recent weeks Laporta has made Pogba the focus of his candidacy and says that the current management were made to look ridiculous when they went to Italy to try to secure an €80 million deal for the France international midfielder.

“[sporting director Ariedo] Braida's meeting with Juventus and [director of sporting institutional relations Albert] Soler was a failure, it was ridiculous and made Barcelona look bad,” Laporta told Cadena Ser.

“Soler acts in ignorance of the world of football.”

Not for the first time, Laporta stressed “the key to the transfer of Pogba is his agent Mino Raiola,” before dismissing Barcelona’s reported interest in Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan was simply a diversion tactic.

Laporta is hoping to seal his second spell as president of the club after leading them to two Champions Leagues and four Liga titles during his period with the club between 2003 and 2010.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Braida: ‘Not over for Pogba’

http://www.football-italia.net/68630/braida-%E2%80%98not-over-pogba%E2%80%99?

 
Jul 3, 2015

Barcelona were rejected by Juventus for Paul Pogba, but international sporting director Ariedo Braida teases ‘it doesn’t end here’.

The Blaugrana had an €80m bid for the Frenchman turned down this week, a sequence of events which Presidential candidate Joan Laporta called ‘a failure’.

“My good friend [Juventus general manager Giuseppe] Marotta officially turned down our offer,” Braida told giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

“However, it doesn’t end here. First there are the club elections, and then…”

The Catalan club cannot field any new signings until January, as they are under a transfer ban, but can sign players, as was the case with Aleix Vidal.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Pogba shrugs off speculation

http://www.football-italia.net/68650/pogba-shrugs-speculation?

 
Jul 3, 2015

Paul Pogba told Soccer 360 “nobody knows” what he said to Juventus and his agent amid links to Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea.

The midfielder is constantly at the centre of transfer speculation and at the age of 21 shows he’s already used to it.

“That is not important. All I hear is that Pogba is going here or that Pogba is going there,” he told Soccer 360 Magazine.

“The truth is nobody hears my private conversations with my agent, my family and Juventus. In football there will always be stories.”

You can read the full interview and much more on Soccer 360 here.

Asked about his ambitions for next season after missing out on the Champions League Final, the Frenchman aimed for the top.

“To win trophies. I have won two this season and I am hungry for many more. The Final was really disappointing, as all the players were so desperate to win it.

“We could not have done any more, we can be really proud of ourselves. We know that we gave it everything, but in the end Barcelona were just better than us.”

At the final whistle, Pogba consoled Andrea Pirlo in what was likely his final appearance before moving to New York City FC.

“It was very emotional. Pirlo has won everything, but he was so desperate to win the Champions League with Juventus. It would have been amazing for him and the club, but it was not to be.”

[Socrates 8414]

 

Manchester City To Challenge Barcelona
With Mega Bid For Paul Pogba

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/07/manchester-city-to-challenge-barcelona-with-mega-bid-for-juventus-star/?

 
Jul 5, 2015

Manchester City would be looking to challenge Barcelona, over the signature of Juventus’ Paul Pogba, with a mega bid.

Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta has already confirmed an €80 million bid for Pogba from Barcelona. Reports have also suggested a gentleman’s agreement between both clubs for the transfer of the player in 2016.

These reports have not deterred Manchester City however, with the Premier League club preparing to lodge a colossal €100 million bid for the capture of the 22-year-old Frenchman, according to the Mirror.

Although Barcelona sporting director Ariedo Braida confirmed that Barcelona’s Pogba bid had been rejected, the Blaugrana intend to continue their pursuit of the Juventus ace. Pogba, himself, recently dismissed reports linking him with a move to Barcelona in a long interview for Soccer360.

Pogba made 40 appearances in all competitions for Juventus last season, scoring 10 goals and helping the Bianconeri to a domestic double and the Champions League final.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Raymond Domenech: 'Paul Pogba worth just
as much as Gareth Bale'

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-city/transfer-talk/news/domenech-pogba-worth-as-much-as-bale_232036.html

 
Jul 5, 2015

Former France boss Raymond Domenech has argued that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is worth just as much as Real Madrid's Gareth Bale.

Bale became the world's most expensive player at £86m when he made his switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Spain, and Domenech believes that reported Manchester City target Pogba would command much the same fee.

"£80m, £50m, £10m – there's no more difference after that," said Domenech, according to the Daily Mail.

"It means nothing. What you saw with Real Madrid paying €100m for Gareth Bale, you say for a player like Pogba you can give the same, no problem.

"In my opinion he can play in Italy, in Spain, in England. He would be the best in all the teams."

Pogba originally moved to Juventus in 2012 after failing to agree a new contract with Manchester United.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Juventus hint at Pogba exit

The Serie A champions denied that a deal with Barcelona had been put in place following
talks last week, and their president has now suggested he could yet leave this summer.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/07/06/13351842/-?

 
Jul 6, 2015

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has hinted that Paul Pogba could leave the club this summer.

Goal understands Manchester City are ready to set a new world record transfer fee in order to land Pogba, although it is believed the midfielder would prefer a move to Barcelona.

Paris St-Germain are also closely monitoring the situation, despite the fact that the French international has four years left on his current contract at Juventus Stadium.

Only last week, Juventus publicly denied reports that a deal had been put in place with European champions Barcelona, who would be likely to let Pogba stay in Turin for another year due to their transfer ban.

But Angelli has moved to lower expectations of him remaining with the club beyond the close of the transfer window.

"Nothing is 100 per cent in football, players are not for sale starting from September 1," he said at a press conference.

"Some years ago we said Christian Vieri was not for sale and he went to Atletico Madrid A few days after..."

Pogba started his senior career at Manchester United but left on a free transfer in 2012 after growing frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The midfielder, who has represented France at every level, moved to Juventus and has since gone on to win three Serie A titles and, last season, he helped the club reach the Champions League final.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Barcelona will not sign Pogba this year, says Bartomeu

The Catalans had an €80 million bid for the player turned down
last week and won't be making an improved offer this summer.

http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2015/07/07/13365862/-?

 
Jul 7, 2015

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu says the Catalans will not sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba in 2015.

The Champions League holders are keen to lure the 22-year-old to Camp Nou but saw an €80 million offer for the midfielder turned down last week.

Barca were expected to launch an improved bid but Bartomeu revealed any deal for Pogba is now on hold until January next year at the earliest.

"We will not buy Pogba this year," the current Barcelona president told reporters.

"We are not planning with him for next season. He is not part of our sporting plans for 2015-16 at this stage."

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli hinted on Monday that the France international could still be on the move this summer, which could encourage several other clubs to make bids.

Barcelona announced the capture of Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth €41m on Monday after recently securing the services of Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.

However, the club are banned from fielding new signings until January after being found guilty of irregularities in the sgning of youngsters from overseas last year.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Bartomeu: Luis Enrique didn't want Pogba

The ex-Barcelona president, who is favourite to be re-elected,
is surprised at the club's recent interest in the midfielder.

http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/4682/transfer-zone/2015/07/11/13489672/-?

 
Jul 11, 2015

Ex-Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu has revealed Luis Enrique wasn't interested in signing Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba last season.

Barca had an €80 million offer for the France international rejected last week, with Bartomeu later revealing the club wouldn't sign him until next year at the earliest.

Bartomeu resigned in June but is hoping to be re-elected after making the final round of voting in the club's presidential elections

"Luis Enrique did not ask for Pogba," he told Cadena Cope. "The trip to Juventus was not foreseen when I left, but the club is still working."

Barca unveiled Ardan Turan on Friday after he completed a €40m deal from Atletico Madrid, and Bartomeu revealed he began working on the deal weeks ago.

"I spoke with Arda approximately around the dates of the Champions League final to tell him we wanted to sign him.

"When I left the transfer was very advanced but it wasn't finished. Arda and Aleix Vidal are the two players who Luis Enrique asked for."

The hunt for Pogba remains intense, with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and both Manchester clubs credited with a serious interest in the 22-year-old.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Ferguson: 'I'd sell Pogba'

http://www.football-italia.net/69091/ferguson-id-sell-pogba?

 
Jul 12, 2015

Sir Alex Ferguson told Tuttosport that Juventus “should sell Paul Pogba” for €100m.

The former Manchester United manager famously let a teenage Pogba’s contract expire and within months he’d become a superstar in Turin.

Now the midfielder is believed to be worth €100m and at the centre of a bidding war between Barcelona, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Turin-based paper Tuttosport claim they spoke to Fergie as he attended Wimbledon with his family and was asked about Juve.

“It’s a fantastic team, they won four Serie A titles in a row and in my view were unlucky in the Champions League Final. They were hit by Barcelona counter-attacks, but before those had dominated the game.”

Ferguson was asked if he missed the frenetic action of being a manager, but said no, and made a surprising admission.

“I would sell Pogba. It’s true, I already let him go, but if I were Juve now then I’d sell.”

[Socrates 8414]

 

Bartomeu: Pogba not a priority for Luis Enrique

Barcelona have been heavily linked with the France international
but the Blaugrana supremo has suggested that his coach has other targets in mind.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/07/12/13528322/-?

 
Jul 12, 2015

Signing Juventus ace Paul Pogba is not a priority for Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, according to club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Two of the men trying to dethrone Bartomeu in next week's election, Augusto Benedito and Joan Laporta, have repeatedly spoken of their hopes of bringing the France international to Catalunya should they claim the top job at Camp Nou.

However, Bartomeu is far less interested in any possible deal for the Juventus midfielder, suggesting that the coaching team have more important transfer targets.

"Pogba is not a priority for Luis Enrique but you cannot rule out for the future," he told reporters on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bartomeu admitted that the relegation of Barcelona's B team to Segunda B must prompt a rethink on the club's handling of its most promising young players.

"I think Barca B's demotion was an error of planning and that we are doing something wrong," he added.

"Sometimes we put the best young players in the team too early.

"The most important thing about La Masia [barca's youth academy] is that our players are allowed to continue with their learning process."

[Socrates 8414]

 

Laporta: Failed Pogba bid made Barcelona duo look like fools

The ex-Blaugrana supremo has once again lashed out at Ariedo Braida
and Albero Soler over their attempts to bring the midfielder to Camp Nou.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/07/13/13529362/-?

 
Jul 13, 2015

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has launched another attack on the club's current leadership, claiming that the recent bid to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus left sporting director Ariedo Braida and director of sporting insitutional relations Albero Soler looking like "fools".

Laporta, who is seeking a second term as president in next week's election, has already claimed that the failed attempt to sign the France international was "ridiculous" and made the Blaugrana "look bad".

The former Blaugrana supremo has now had another dig at the ruling regime at Camp Nou, reiterating that he knew all along that the move for Pogba was doomed to fail.

"The key is [agent] Mino Raiola," Bartomeu told Catalunya Radio. "He is the one who will decide.

"They [soler and Braida] preferred to go talk with Juventus but they didn't know what to do and were made fools of."

Laporta has repeatedly stated his intention to sign Pogba but he added that he never said he would do so this summer.

"I would not say anything other than Pogba will not come to Barcelona this year."

Laporta also suggested that Barca would have a better chance of securing their primary transfer targets if he, and his running mate Eric Abidal, are victorious in the July 18 election.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Barca candidates differ on Pogba

http://www.football-italia.net/69147/barca-candidates-differ-pogba?

 
Jul 13, 2015

Barcelona Presidential candidates Josep Maria Bartomeu and Joan Laporta declare different plans for Juventus star Paul Pogba.

The race for the top spot at Camp Nou is on and both main candidates are using Pogba as a tool to fire up the fans.

Bartomeu told Cadena Cope that pursuit of the midfielder was unnecessary.

“Pogba is not a priority, even though we cannot predict the future. In any case, Luis Enrique has not asked for the player.”

As for Laporta, he remains adamant that he’s the right man to bring Pogba to the Blaugrana.

“Yes, we are interested in Pogba and if I become President of Barcelona, then we’ll go for him. Without doubt he’s on the list.

“The key to his transfer is agent Mino Raiola, nobody else.”

Juventus have said Pogba is not for sale unless someone meets the €100m price-tag.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Pogba for €80m is absurd - Cruyff

The legendary Dutchman is baffled by the high price that Barcelona
reportedly saw rejected when they bid for the Juventus midfielder.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/07/14/13582082/-?

 
Jul 14, 2015

Barcelona legend Johann Cruyff has branded the €80 million fee reportedly rejected by Juventus for Paul Pogba "absurd".

The midfielder, 21, has been one of the most highly-sought players in the world this summer, with Barca among a crowd of cash-rich clubs such as Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain also pursuing him.

However, Juve rejected Barca's first bid for Pogba and all signs are that coach Massimiliano Allegri will have the France international for at least one more season in Turin.

Dutch legend Cruyff, who played and coached at Camp Nou, expressed his bemusement at Pogba's pricetag and lamented the way that producing players within Barca's youth set-up appears to have been cast aside.

"The Pogba figures being bandied about are absurd. €80 million for Pogba is absurd," he told Cadena Cope.

"In the past, Barca produced top players such as Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta who did not cost the club anything, and that has been lost."

Barca's transfer activity this summer rests on the result of this Saturday's presidential election results, with Josep Maria Bartomeu and Joan Laporta the two favourites.

[Socrates 8414]

 

‘Pogba? I’ll speak to the President…’

http://www.football-italia.net/69186/%E2%80%98pogba-i%E2%80%99ll-speak-president%E2%80%A6%E2%80%99

 
Jul 15, 2015

Barcelona Coach Luis Enrique he’ll discuss Juventus’ Paul Pogba ‘next week, with whoever is the new President’.

The Catalan club are in the midst of a Presidential election campaign, with Joan Laporta in particular using Pogba as a campaign pledge, and Juventus rejecting an €80m bid from the interim leadership.

“I don’t want to talk about players who aren’t at Barcelona,” Luis Enrique said in a Press conference.


“That said, it doesn’t bother me that they’ve used my name in relation to him. He’s an interesting player, and I’ll be happy to discuss him next week, with whoever is the new President.”

[Socrates 8414]

 

'Juve owns Pogba, not Raiola'

http://www.football-italia.net/69302/juve-owns-pogba-not-raiola?

 
Jul 17, 2015

Juventus director general Beppe Marotta comes down hard on agent Mino Raiola, asking clubs to ignore him over Paul Pogba.

The influential agent made a bold statement yesterday, claiming precedence on the possible deal to bring Pogba to Barcelona.

“First Barcelona will have to negotiate with me, then with Juventus, but they can do so,” he said.

It seems his argument did not go down well with Marotta, who contradicted it with no half measures.

“Those who want Paul will have to negotiate with Juventus, not with Mino Raiola, who is only his agent,” he told El Mundo Deportivo.

“We've been negotiating with Barcelona for months, from one club to the other, in a serious and transparent manner.

“This is the right way to do business between two teams that have so much history and importance in the world of football.

“The situation is clear between Juventus and Barcelona since the meeting we had in Milan with their director of sporting institutional relations, Albert Soler, and my friend Ariedo Braida.

“Barcelona made a serious and concrete offer, but we rejected anyway.”

[Socrates 8414]

 

Mourinho: I like Pogba, but Chelsea
are good enough without him

The manager is a long-term admirer of the Juventus midfielder but has faith
in his Premier League title winners in the face of a long list of others suitors.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/07/18/13702852/-?

 
Jul 19, 2015

Jose Mourinho has confirmed he is interested in Paul Pogba but is happy to use his current squad rather than pursue the Juventus star.

The manager has been a long-term admirer of the midfielder, pinpointing the France international as a key target for Chelsea over a year ago, but faces competition for his signature from a number of Europe's top sides.

Mourinho, who has added just loanee Radamel Falcao and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to his squad so far this summer, feels Pogba would boost any team but remains confident in the collective strength of his squad.

"Pogba is not to put pressure on people," Mourinho says. "Pogba is one of the top players in the world. Pogba goes to any team and improves that team automatically. If he stays at Juventus, Juventus will be very strong again. If he goes somewhere else he will improve immediately a team. This is not our case.

"We are changing Cech for Begovic, we are changing Didier for Falcao and we are changing kids by other kids. I think everybody has an interest in Pogba. But there are things you can do and things you cannot do. I love the Eiffel Tower but I can't have the Eiffel Tower in my garden. I can't even have the Eiffel Tower of Las Vegas."

[Socrates 8414]

 

'Barcelona will pursue Pogba if Luis Enrique wants'

The Blaugrana have already failed with one bid to land the France
international but are open to the possibility of making a second offer.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/07/19/13715252/-?

 
Jul 19, 2015

Barcelona board member Jordi Mestre says that the club will consider making another move for Juventus ace Paul Pogba should Luis Enrique say so.

The Blaugrana launched a bid to land the France international last month but their €80 million offer was rejected by the Bianconeri.

However, with Josep Maria Bartomeu having secured another term as president on Saturday, speculation is now rife that Barca will now turn their attention back to bringing the 22-year-old to Camp Nou.

"If the coaching team ask for Pogba, we will study it," he told Cadena COPE. "In principle, the squad for next season is finished.

"But if Luis Enrique asks for some reinforcement somewhere, the door is open."

Barca are currently serving a Fifa-imposed, year-long transfer ban related to the movement of players under the age of 18 but they can still make new signings and then register them in January.

The Catalans have already signed Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid and Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Bartomeu wins Barcelona election

http://www.football-italia.net/69401/bartomeu-wins-barcelona-election

 
Jul 19, 2015

Josep Bartomeu has won the Barcelona Presidential election ahead of Joan Laporta, which could affect Paul Pogba’s future.

Incumbent patron Bartomeu enjoyed a comfortable victory with 54.63% of the vote compared to Laporta's 33.03%.

He beat Laporta into second place and will be President for the next six years.

This could have a knock-on effect for the transfer market, as Laporta has a strong rapport with Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola.

“If Laporta wins the Barcelona Presidential election, there’d be a high chance of Pogba ending up at Barcelona,” Raiola told EFE this week.

Juventus have been adamant they won’t sell Pogba anyway, but this does make it less likely Raiola will push him towards Camp Nou.

However, there were also reports that Bartomeu's plan was to get Pogba in 2016.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Raiola: ‘Pogba depends on Juventus’

http://www.football-italia.net/69452/raiola-%E2%80%98pogba-depends-juventus%E2%80%99?

 
Jul 20, 2015

Mino Raiola, the agent of Paul Pogba, admits a transfer to Barcelona or elsewhere ‘depends on Juventus’.

The Bianconeri have already knocked back an €80m bid from Barcelona for the French international, though Raiola insisted any suitors would first have to speak with him.

However, in a brief statement to Spanish newspaper Sport, the agent seems to strike a more conciliatory tone.

“Is Pogba unsellable?” Raiola considered.

“That depends on Juventus.”

The newspaper speculates that the player’s representative may be seeking to win an improved contract for his client.

Pogba only signed a new deal with the Bianconeri last October, which is scheduled to run until 2019 and will earn him €4.5m per season.

Sport believes that Raiola is angling for that to be increased to around €6.5m, in the knowledge that the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain would be willing to offer even more as a salary should Pogba wish to leave the Old Lady.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Pogba’s time to truly shine

Having lost three influential players this summer, Luca Cetta says
the time is right for Paul Pogba to become a leader at Juventus.

http://www.football-italia.net/70247/pogba%E2%80%99s-time-truly-shine?

 
Jul 29, 2015

There was a decidedly different feel about the Juventus side which took to St. Gallen’s AFG Arena to face Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. Less than two months following the Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona, the Bianconeri were without talismanic trio Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal for the first time. The Metronome was preparing to make his New York City debut the following day, Tevez had already worn the famous Boca Juniors shirt again and Vidal was about to put pen to paper on his Bayern Munich contract.

It’s not, as Giorgio Chiellini told La Stampa on Monday, a Year Zero. Juventus already have a foundation in place. It’s more an evolution rather than a revolution – a partially new cycle, the defender said.

And having agreed to sell Vidal, Juventus effectively closed the door on relinquishing Paul Pogba this summer. Like the Chilean, he has long been linked with a move away from Turin. The Frenchman was a focal point of Barcelona’s recent Presidential elections. There have also been links with Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain.

Not that Juventus are interested in loosening their grip on such a talent. “Obviously a he’s a player who we really believe in. He’s a young player who has developed here, who has shown great respect and considers this his natural habitat,” director general Giuseppe Marotta told a Press conference last week. “In the event he says he’s not happy to continue his adventure with Juventus, we might look at some offers. At the moment that hasn’t happened.”

Unlike Vidal, the ex-Manchester United midfielder lined up in Switzerland last Saturday. The clash against Dortmund signalled the start of a busy period for Juventus. They face Lechia Gdansk today and Marseille on Saturday. Next weekend is the Italian Super Cup versus Lazio. It’s the start of a season in which Pogba can truly become a Bianconeri protagonist.

Juventus open their 2015-16 Serie A campaign against Udinese. When they do, Allegri will be seeking players to take the place vacated by the influential trio, and that of other valuable squad members. A position of leadership on and off the field.

Still a tender 22, Pogba finds himself thrust into a new role. Think of his midfield compatriots. Sami Khedira is a new arrival and Stefano Sturaro relatively so. Roberto Pereyra has one season under his belt, Kwadwo Asamoah has mostly fulfilled other duties and Simone Padoin is a squad player. Then there’s Claudio Marchisio. He’s the only midfielder to have played more games since 2012, the year Pogba joined – 135 in all competitions to 129. In fact, only seven players have been at the club longer. As the arrivals integrate, it’s up the established members of the squad to help ease the transition.

Pogba can become a midfield lynchpin. Awarded the Best Young Player prize at the 2014 World Cup, he’s always been a mercurial figure. Pogba has an elastic touch and the graceful stride of a gazelle. An eye for goal too. He’s a crowd pleaser. The aim is to now put those elements together over a ten-month period.

Doing so will take the three-time Scudetto winner’s game to the next level. And it’s sure to come with maturity. Those flashes of brilliance and desire to hold the ball longer than required can sometimes land Pogba in trouble. No Juventus player lost possession as often as he did last term. But by the same token, Pogba completed more dribbles and only the departed Pirlo and Tevez played more key passes. He wants to be a focal point, a player to funnel attacking moves through. Adding consistency to his game will make Pogba an even trickier opponent. It would turn a very good player into a great one.

Approaching Euro 2016 in peak form will also be an aim for the midfielder. As France seeks a first trophy since 2000, and on home soil, a big season in Bianconeri colours can help Pogba play a major role. The French are shaping up as an early favourite.

That’s why it’s the perfect storm for Pogba. Juventus need him to perform to the levels his great potential can take him. Without Pirlo, Vidal and Tevez it’s up to the other established stars to take the reins for the Turin club. Doing so can take Pogba into the footballing stratosphere.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Pogba: 'I'm the new Vidal'

http://www.football-italia.net/70347/pogba-im-new-vidal?

 
Jul 31, 2015

Paul Pogba says he can cover Arturo Vidal's former role at Juventus: 'I must show how I've developed'.

The sale of Vidal to Bayern Munich, coupled with the departure of Andrea Pirlo to New York City FC, left Juventus shorn of two great midfielders.

“We lost some important players,” the Frenchman admitted to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. “But others have arrived who have great experience.

“Besides, we are Juventus and we must always do well.”

Pogba was asked whether he fancied himself a trequartista, an offensive playmaker like Arturo Vidal was.

“I'm available to do what the Coach asks me, for the good of the team.

“I find myself at ease even when playing behind the two strikers, but we'll see what happens over the season.

“Can I score as much as Vidal? Why not? I can do that. I hope so for everyone, for myself and for Juventus.

“I learnt a lot from Vidal and from Pirlo, they are great players.

“Now I must put into practice what they taught me and show how I've developed.

“Carlos Tevez also left, but we found other pivotal players.

“The team was not revolutionized and we had Khedira and Mandzukic coming in, who are fundamental.

“When you change there are always some differences, but we are Juventus and we have a duty to do well.

[Socrates 8414]

 

'Fifth Scudetto down to Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/70348/fifth-scudetto-down-juve?

 
Jul 31, 2015

Paul Pogba says winning a fifth consecutive Scudetto is 'only down to Juventus', and swats down rumours of a transfer.

The 22-year-old seemed unimpressed by the strengthening of squads like those of Milan and Inter, and he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport that the Bianconeri's will would make or break their victory.

“If we want to, we can win the fifth consecutive title,” he said. “Because we know how things work here at Juventus.

“It's only down to us. The Champions League final belongs to the past now, it's got nothing to do with the season that's about to begin.

“Coach Max Allegri is right in saying that we have to wipe a clean slate, but if we've been able to win four Scudetti in a row it means we've been used to thinking that way for a long time.

“The other top Italian teams have been used to seeing Juventus ahead of everyone else for so long, it makes sense that sooner or later they'll hunger to get back to victory.

“They'll have a greater fighting spirit, and for this very reason we have to be more focused and do more.”

Finally, the Frenchman was asked whether he would leave Juventus as well.

“Vidal did well in going to Bayern, but I'm here and I don't think about the transfer market, only about the pitch.

“It's the only thing that matters for me. Am I staying at 100%? You see me, here I am.”

[Socrates 8414]

 

Paul Pogba is the new owner
of Juventus' No. 10 jersey

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/8/6/9107123/juventus-paul-pogba-number-10-jersey

 
Aug 6, 2015

When Alessandro Del Piero left Juventus in 2012 and subsequently went to Australia to hang out with kangaroos, the club chose to keep the No. 10 jersey on ice for a season. Now that Carlos Tévez has gone back home to Argentina and Boca Juniors, the same can't be said about Juve's last No. 10.

That's because there's a new one. Sorry, Carlitos.

It's one that has cool hair, likes to pop the collar on his uniforms — curse you, adidas — and is currently one of the most sought after transfer targets the world of football currently has. But this is the clearest sign of any that Pogba is going to be around and be the focal point of Juventus during the 2015-16 season. And if you've bought a new adidas jersey with Paul Pogba's name on the back with the No. 6, well, I guess this is the time where we extend our arms for a hug and express our condolences.

JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen
From Saturday's #SuperCoppaTIM final onwards, the number 10 shirt will have a new owner: @paulpogba.

Also send your condolences to any one of the rumored trequartista options that Juventus have been linked to over the last month or so. Sorry to you, Julian Draxler. Sorry to you, Mario Götze. After just a couple months of uncertainty, the No. 10 at Juventus has an owner again, and it's going to be worn by a player who has become the player he is because of the major opportunity he's gotten at Juventus.

Side note: This doesn't mean Juventus won't be signing a trequartista/No. 10, so don't send angry tweets or post comments about how Beppe Marotta sucks because he can't sign a playmaker this summer. Let's just be honest here, would we rather have somebody like Draxler arrive and take the No. 10, or have somebody like Pogba who has been around the club during its rebirth the last three or four years take it?

I know which one of those options I will take — and it's the one with cool hair who scores absolutely fantastic goals on a somewhat regular basis while emerging as a true leader on a club that will now depend on him more than ever before.

So, here's to you, Paul Pogba, the man who now wears Juventus' No. 10 jersey. Maybe, just maybe, we can get your reaction to the news that you will be wearing one of the most beloved numbers in all of Italian and European football.

Dagnabbit, he's just so fun, isn't he? You can't say he doesn't deserve something like this. So take THAT, Barcelona.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Pogba takes Juventus' No.10 shirt

The Frenchman has been handed the jersey famously worn
by Alessandro Del Piero following the departure of Carlos Tevez.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/08/06/14204482/-?

 
Aug 6, 2015

Juventus have announced that midfielder Paul Pogba has taken the vacant No.10 shirt for the season.

The number was famously worn by Alessandro Del Piero during his long spell in Turin, while Carlos Tevez inherited the shirt before leaving for Boca Juniors earlier this summer.

Juve have been tipped to buy two No.10's - Schalke attacker Julian Draxler and Bayern Munich's Mario Gotze - but appear to have settled on an internal solution.

JuventusFC ✔@juventusfcen
From Saturday's #SuperCoppaTIM final onwards, the number 10 shirt will have a new owner: @paulpogba.

Pogba, who previously wore the No.6 shirt, will don his new squad number for the first time in the Supercoppa Italiana clash with Lazio on Saturday.

Barcelona made an €80 million bid for Pogba earlier this summer but were rebuffed in their attempt to sign the Frenchman and he now appears ready to stay at the club.

[Socrates 8414]

 

Why Pogba's No.10 shirt could be pivotal moment
for player, Juventus & the transfer market

The Bianconeri hope that making the Frenchman their new No.10 will let Barcelona and
Manchester City know that the midfield ace will remain in Turin for years to come.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/08/06/14209192/-?

 
Aug 6, 2015

Earlier this summer, Sir Alex Ferguson advised Juventus to cash in on Paul Pogba. "I would sell him," the former Manchester United boss told Tuttosport. "It's true I let him go before but I would let him go."

The Bianconeri refused to listen to the Scot, no doubt reluctant to take the advice of a man who had allowed the most promising midfielder to leave Old Trafford for nothing. Ferguson may not appreciate Pogba's value, even now – but Juventus certainly do. Hence, Thursday's announcement that the Frenchman will be their new No.10.

The jersey holds a mythical status in Turin. Omar Sivori, Fabio Capello, Liam Brady, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Carlos Tevez – the players to have worn the Bianconero No.10 essentially reads as a shortlist of the most influential players in the club's history. Thus, deciding who should wear the shirt is never taken lightly. It is a carefully considered move - and it has been no different this time around.

Pogba, as has been well documented, is one of the most sought-after individuals in world football. Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain – all of the game's richest clubs have an interest in signing the 22-year-old. Indeed, so intense is the competition, so high are the stakes, that Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that even the Roman Abramovich-funded Blues have no chance of landing Pogba.

"I think everybody has an interest in Pogba," the Portuguese told reporters on July 19, "but there are things you can do and things you cannot do. I love the Eiffel Tower but I can't have the Eiffel Tower in my garden. I can't even have the Eiffel Tower of Las Vegas!"

Mourinho may have had a not-so-hidden agenda in that instance, cheekily suggesting that Abramovich needs to loosen the purse strings once more in order to land the game's elite players, but his appraisal underlines just how highly Pogba is regarded. Indeed, while Dutch icon Johan Cruyff may not believe the hype surrounding Pogba, dismissing Barca's €80 million bid as "absurd", but Juve fully appreciate his value to Massimiliano Allegri's team – and the club's marketing department.

After arriving in Turin in 2012, Pogba quickly set about proving himself one of the most promising young talents in the world, forcing then-coach Antonio Conte to start experimenting with Claudio Marchisio as a trequartista because the new arrival had become undroppable, an integral member of Juve's midfield three.

Pogba's influence has only increased in the intervening years and now, following the summer departures of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Tevez, the Frenchman is now undoubtedly Juve's most important player. Giving him the No.10 jersey only reinforces that impression; reinforces that fact. Indeed, Pogba was a pivotal player even with the No.6 on his back but now he will be clearly identifiable as the team's lynchpin, their star man - and the Bianconeri are going to sell many more Pogba shirts as a result.

It is also a significant switch for the midfielder on a personal level. This is not a man who runs away from pressure but embraces it; seeks it out.

Even before it was announced that he would be given the No.10 shirt, Pogba spoke openly of his desire to fill the void left by Vidal, a prolific presence in the Juve midfield. He wants more responsibility. Now he has got it.

The change of shirt number will not necessarily mean a change of role, though.

Massimiliano Allegri has toyed with the idea of deploying Pogba as a trequartista at regular intervals since succeeding Conte at the helm last year but he wants a specialist No.10. Hence, Juve will continue their pursuit of a classic attacking midfielder, with the club set to step up their bid to sign the versatile Julian Draxler from Schalke after their Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Lazio in China.

In that game, though, all eyes will be on Juve's most prized possession.

The Bianconeri have made a clear statement of intent, sent an unequivocal message to their rivals: Pogba is Juve's new No.10 - and will be for many years to come.