Paul Pogba

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba needs help to thrive as
Juventus No.10, says Camoranesi

The 22-year-old midfielder has become integral to the club in recent years but needs
support, while the 38-year-old is unworried by the club's poor start to the season.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2015/09/07/15115472/-?

 
Sep 7, 2015

Paul Pogba needs help to become integral to Juventus after being handed the No.10 shirt, according to former midfielder Mauro Camoranesi.

Pogba, who was the subject of reported overtures from Chelsea in the summer, has become one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the world at the age of 22.

The Frenchman has made over 130 appearances for the club following his free transfer from Manchester United in 2012 but Camoranesi maintains that his team-mates must also step up to the plate to lighten the load on Pogba in 2015-16.

"It’s strange to see the Frenchman with that number on his shoulders: he has other characteristics,” he told Corriere dello Sport. “One cannot ask you to drag the team at his age, he has a great future ahead, and has proven to have huge room for improvement.

“Right now he is the most important player in the team but to load him with too many expectations would be wrong. It risks burning him out. If he gets the right support he will become crucial for Juve."

Juventus have lost such stars as Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal in the last three months, but Camoranesi maintains that the club can succeed even without the previously indispensable trio.

"We must be within the dynamics of a team to assess and make judgments; for sure Tevez, Pirlo and Vidal had a lot of charisma and now that they’re not there that is lacking,” he added.

“I do not know if the guys who arrived this year have the same profile, they can certainly count on people like Buffon and Barzagli, just to name a few, who have plenty of experience and charisma both on and off the pitch.

"I really like the project. They have a great mix of young talents and established stars like Khedira or Mandzukic, players who in their career have proven to be competitive at international level, have experience and are up to wearing the black and white jersey. "

Juve, however, are yet to collect a point in Serie A, losing to Udinese and Roma, but Camoranesi maintains that he unworried by his former club’s poor start to the season.

"It’s strange to see the team with no points in the standings, but it’s is part of the game,” he added. “So far they have played only 180 minutes, but there are 38 games. In recent years Juventus won the league title mathematically when there were three or four games to go, so I don’t see the problem.

“Of course, starting the season with two consecutive defeats is certainly not the best and does not please anyone, but the club has put together a good group that has the potential to win again. I'm sure.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba: 'Little old man' Martial has great potential

The 22-year-old believes the Red Devils latest signing has shown
maturity beyond his years and will make a lot of progress in the Premier League.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2015/09/07/15129102/-?

 
Sep 7, 2015

Juventus and France star Paul Pogba has hailed the maturity of "little old man" Anthony Martial following his move to Manchester United .

The 19-year-old completed a sensational deadline-day transfer to the Red Devils from Monaco for a fee which could reportedly rise to £59 million (€80m) including future bonuses.

Pogba himself began his professional career at Old Trafford, but left in 2012 for Juventus having made just five senior appearances.

And the 22-year-old is in no doubt as to his compatriot's potential and believes he will make significant progress playing in the Premier League.

"I already call him 'little old man,'" Pogba told Telefoot . "He's 19 and he's already very mature for his age.

"He has great qualities and very big potential. He's going to bring a lot to the French team and I'm very happy for him.

"Now he's changed club and he's going to get to know the Premier League. He's going to play with some big players and he'll make a lot of progress."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba is unique, the Buffon
of midfielders - Trezeguet

The former Juventus striker is full of praise for both Bianconeri stars
and says Paulo Dybala is the future of the Serie A champions.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2015/09/08/15151522/-?

 
Sep 8, 2015

David Trezeguet has hailed Juventus star Paul Pogba as "unique" and believes he could reach incredible heights like team-mate Gianluigi Buffon.

The 37-year-old has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world for years, having won the Uefa Cup, Champions League, World Cup and reached a European Championship final throughout a glittering career.

Pogba is seen as one of the most promising players in the world, with the 22-year-old midfielder already a pivotal player for Juve.

Trezeguet believes Buffon is the greatest goalkeeper ever and feels Pogba can have an equally successful career.

"He's the best goalkeeper of all time," he told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport. "I don't see anyone who has had the continuity Buffon has for the last 20 years. Since his time at Parma, he has maintained a very high level.

"He has always been crucial, it is impressive. I cannot explain how he does it.

"Paul has a unique future ahead of him. He may be the Buffon of midfielders if he continues to work as hard as he has worked at Juve.

"I see that he is happy and it is during these times that we grow. He has it all and he is so young."

The World Cup and European Championship winner also spoke highly of Juve's summer signing Paulo Dybala.

"He has a bright future ahead of him and is a very important future. It has already proved himself at Palermo and will prove even more in Turin," he added.

"He doesn't play the same role as me, but I see a little bit of myself in him from when I arrived at Juve: young, with desire to demonstrate value and technically good to help me grow.

"Dybala has it all and will be the future of Juve.

"Juve have lost three core players like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez. It will take time to fix the team."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba Discusses Juventus Future
Following Rumours of Chelsea, PSG Interest

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2563501-paul-pogba-discusses-juventus-future-following-rumours-of-chelsea-psg-interest?

 
Sep 9, 2015

Paul Pogba has revealed he had “no motive” to leave Juventus in the previous transfer window despite strong reported interest from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

The Frenchman has matured into one of Europe’s finest midfielders in Turin and has insisted he could remain with the Italian champions for a while yet. “Why would I not stay? I didn't have any motive to go. It wasn't the right time," he said, per Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror. “It was never clear that I would leave and there's no reason I can't continue here for longer. Let's see.”

Chelsea were linked with a big-money offer for the 22-year-old late in the transfer window, per Tony Banks of the Daily Express, while the Parisians were also said to have made a bid, reported by Mackay.

But Juventus looks an ideal club for Pogba to continue developing, especially given the summer of seismic changes that took place on the back of their double-winning season. Indeed, it means Pogba, now the club’s No. 10, has increased responsibility following the departure of the shirt’s previous incumbent, Carlos Tevez, as well as Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo.

As we can see here, courtesy of OptaPaolo, the youngster is a player who is already happy to take control of the ball and affect matches:

OptaPaolo ✔ @OptaPaolo
199 - Pogba has completed 199 dribbles in Serie A (since 2012) - at least 61 more than any other Juventus player.Ten.

As such, it’s no surprise Juve want to keep hold of him. According to the Bianconeri’s director general, Giuseppe Marotta, the club will hold out for a massive fee if they are to eventually sell Pogba, per Mackay’s piece:

As we want to win, we have decided to keep hold of a player as important as Pogba, although we have had offers from some very important clubs.

In the future he could be worth more than €100m. We've lost the likes of Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal, three irreplaceable players, against our will and replacing them isn't easy. Directors, managers and players come and go, but clubs, victories and their successes to come remain.

In among discussions about Pogba’s future, it is often forgotten just how big a club Juventus is.

The Italian giants may not be quite as flush as sides such as Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City, but with 31 Italian league titles won in total, they’re a team with massive historical significance and endearing pageantry. Their run to last season’s Champions League final suggested they’re as good as any current side in Europe too.

Pogba will know this after being with the club since 2012, and he seems like a level-headed lad aware there is still much for him to learn despite his obvious talent. How to take a grasp of games for Juve without Pirlo and Vidal is one, as football analyst Jack Rathborn touched upon:

Jack Rathborn @JackRathborn
Pogba feels awkward with this enhanced responsibility on his shoulders, just swung a boot at a 1/2 volley from far out, wild

Other illustrious clubs will continue to sniff around the player, and it’d be no surprise if Pogba did have his head turned by a lucrative offer, but it’s encouraging to hear the midfielder insist he could remain in Turin. After all, Juventus took a chance on Pogba when he left Manchester United and have helped facilitate his development from an erratic player into a footballing force of nature.

This season could be one of the most important of Pogba’s career given the added significance he’ll have in the starting XI. While he doesn’t seem quite at ease with the extra pressures yet, it’s something the youngster must become accustomed with if he’s to go to the summit of the sport. His raw ability certainly won't hold him back.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Barcelona May Have Agreement To Sign Pogba

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/barcelona-may-have-agreement-to-sign-juventus-midfielder/?

 
Sep 9, 2015

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba could leave the club as Barcelona may have a deal in place to sign the player.

Pogba was reportedly the subject of interest from Chelsea this summer but Juve turned down a deal but now there are new rumours of the French international’s potential departure.

As reported by La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, Barcelona President Josep Maria Bartomeu has reached a pre-contract agreement with Juventus that will see Pogba join the La Liga side next year.

Barcelona are currently under a transfer ban imposed by FIFA but would be able to sign Pogba in 2016.

Paris Saint-Germain have also been interested in Pogba in recent years but it now appears that Spain is his most likely destination.

Pogba arrived at Juve from Manchester United in 2012 on a free transfer and has made over 130 appearances in his time in Turin.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Man City's failure to sign Pogba
'important for football' - Buffon

The France international opted to stay with the Serie A champions during the summer
and his captain feels that sends a message to the richest clubs in world football.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2015/09/14/15361772/-?

 
Sep 14, 2015

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon feels Manchester City's failure to sign Paul Pogba is "important" for modern football.

The France international was courted by City, Chelsea and Barcelona over the summer but opted to stay with the Serie A champions.

Buffon believes his team-mate was the best player in Europe last season, and his willingness to remain in Italy shows the richer clubs cannot always sign the players they want.

"The level that Paul Pogba was playing at last season, there was nobody better in the world, and I include Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in that," he told the Daily Mirror.

"When you are at that level, stories are always going to be written about your future.

"Manchester City are one of three or four clubs in the world that can pay what I call crazy money, so it’s only natural they were interested in him.

"He made his intentions to stay with Juventus very clear though, and that was important for us, but also important for football. It showed that money doesn’t always win."

Pogba will come face-to-face with City as Juve travel to the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday for their opening Champions League clash of the campaign.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba misses training

http://www.football-italia.net/73086/pogba-misses-training?

 
Sep 17, 2015

Midfielder Paul Pogba missed Juventus training today with ‘light flu symptoms’.

The 22-year-old had a starring role in his side’s win over Manchester City this week, setting up the first goal for Mario Mandzukic, but has not trained today.

“Not taking part in today’s session though was Paul Pogba after reporting light flu symptoms,” the Bianconeri confirmed on their official website.

It’s not yet clear whether Pogba’s absence from training makes him a doubt for Sunday’s trip to Genoa.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba: ‘Juve play as a team now’

http://www.football-italia.net/73256/pogba-%E2%80%98juve-play-team-now%E2%80%99?

 
Sep 21, 2015

Paul Pogba says the departures of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal have made Juventus ‘play as a team.’

The influential trio left Turin in the summer and the Bianconeri have got off to a slow start in the league without them, but the France international believes it has made the team more united.

"With Tevez, Vidal and Pirlo we were all more individualistic,” Pogba told Tuttosport.

“Thanks to their quality we could decide a game at any moment, but now we have to play more as a team.

“The number 10 shirt is important, it was the Platini’s shirt and I have to show that I’m decisive.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba's Manchester United exit
Mino Raiola's fault - Sir Alex Ferguson

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/manchester-united/story/2625071/paul-pogba-man-united-exit-mino-raiola-fault-ferguson?

 
Sep 22, 2015

Sir Alex Ferguson has blamed Paul Pogba's agent for the midfielder's departure from Manchester United.

Pogba, 22, joined Juventus when his contract at Old Trafford expired in 2012 but Ferguson claimed Pogba was willing to sign an extended deal until Mino Raiola became his representative and intervened.

The Scot, who was United's manager from 1986 to 2013, said he and Raiola, whose clients also include Mario Balotelli and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, were like "oil and water."

In his new book "Leading," Ferguson wrote: "There are one or two football agents I simply do not like. And Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba's agent, is one of them.

"I distrusted him from the moment I met him. He became Zlatan Ibrahimovic's agent while he was playing for Ajax, and eventually he would end up representing Pogba, who was only 18 years old at the time.

"We had Paul under a three-year contract, and it had a one-year renewal option which we were eager to sign. But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.

"He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus."

United were awarded £800,000 in compensation when Pogba joined Juventus but theFrance international, who has since won three Serie A titles and helped the Bianconeri reach May's Champions League final, is now valued at €80 million.

Pogba never started a game for United and has since said he was particularly aggrieved when Ferguson chose to pick right-back Rafael da Silva and winger Ji-sung Park ahead of him in the centre of midfield against Blackburn in December 2011.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba Perfectly Replaces Pirlo

As usual, the summer transfer market brought up a lot of questions come deadline day, with clubs
and fans either feeling confident of the season ahead or wondering what the next move would be.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/09/juventus-club-focus-paul-pogba-perfectly-replaces-pirlo/?

 
Sep 23, 2015

Juventus fell into the latter of the two categories, after the losses of Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and most notably Andrea Pirlo.

They brought in Hernanes from rivals Inter in an attempt to re-strengthen the midfield but fans had doubts once he signed.

Massimiliano Allegri didn’t give him much of an appearance against Genoa on Sunday afternoon as he came on with about 15 minutes to play to substitute young debutant Mario Lemina, to whom an honourable mention should go to after his impressive start in a Bianconeri shirt.

The main man of the 90 minutes, though, was Paul Pogba. The Frenchman was named from the start in midfield and made the space left behind by Pirlo in the middle of the park look so small it was practically non-existent.

Although not a convincing display by the reigning Serie A champions, a 2-0 win came courtesy of an own goal and a penalty, meaning they left with what they so desperately wanted and needed after a stuttering start to the season.

They have Pogba to thank for the victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Firstly, the 22-year-old had a vital part to play in both goals, with the first coming through a shot of his which rebounded off the crossbar onto the Genoa keeper and into the net, and the second through a penalty he scored.

Secondly, overall, he has adapted very well to his role in midfield. His general relaxed nature can be seen in his penalty take; although Genoa are not the fiercest of rivals, a normal player would feel nerves when stepping up to the spot in a league game, especially given the team’s results over the past weeks.

Pogba, however, calmly fired the ball home from 12 yards with a high level of swagger and low level of speed.

That secured the points, it secured their first victory of the campaign and secured the belief that they could actually record a historic fifth-straight Scudetto this term.

The former Manchester United man had gone down with flu and recovered just in time for kick-off, but any after effects were not noticeable.

He seemed confident on the ball and wasn’t afraid to try his luck from range from a set piece.

Perhaps too confident was Pogba, however, as he did lose possession on one occasion on the edge of his own penalty area which allowed a Diego Perotti cross, but fortunately nothing came of it.

Provided that silly mistakes like that are not a regular occurrence throughout the season, all current worries about the absence of the bearded master Pirlo will soon be washed away and, come the middle of May next year, a new season-winning name will be on everybody’s lips.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba Agent Hits Back at Sir Alex Ferguson

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2571042-manchester-united-transfer-news-paul-pogba-agent-hits-back-at-sir-alex-ferguson?

 
Sep 23, 2015

Mino Raiola, the agent of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, has criticised former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson over quotes made regarding the Frenchman’s move from Old Trafford to Turin.

As reported by Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star, in Ferguson’s new autobiography, Leading, he claims Raiola was the reason behind Pogba leaving United. But Raiola has hit back, insisting Ferguson got it wrong with the young midfielder and still hasn’t seen the bigger picture:

Those words don't describe my job in a negative way. I rate them as a proof that I work well. I have to do my best for my players' sake. If I looked only at my immediate gain, I would have kept Pogba in Manchester.

But I put Pogba's interests first, and we decided to go to Turin. Maybe Ferguson only likes those who obey him.

From his quotes, I understand that Ferguson still doesn't understand who Pogba is. Ferguson was an excellent manager, but the greatest managers may be wrong sometimes.

Pogba left United in 2012 in search of regular football, and at Juventus, he has grown into one of the very best young players in the world. For a United team which had previously struggled in the central midfield areas, not integrating the youngster into the side is counted among Ferguson’s biggest mistakes in his managerial career.

Now, Pogba is reportedly hot property, with some of the biggest names in European football linked with a move for the Frenchman, per Ben Grounds of the MailOnline.

For the player, moving to Juventus has been undeniably the right decision. He was given a chance by former boss Antonio Conte, has learned so much from playing alongside the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio and, now, seems ready to become the Bianconeri’s talisman.

After a tough start to the season, Pogba has burst into life in recent weeks. As noted by FourFourTwo’s Adam Digby (via SiriusXM FC), a virtuoso display to help Juventus beat Manchester City in the Champions League gave us a reminder of his talent:

SiriusXM FC @SiriusXMFC
Pogba has been poor to start the year. Last night he transformed to the 100 million pound player we were talking about this summer.

For the first season in a while, United probably aren’t lamenting the departure of Pogba too much. Indeed, in central midfield, the team is looking very strong, with the summer signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin adding to players such as Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini.

Schweinsteiger has been particularly impressive since signing for the Red Devils. Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News recently regretted United not trying to get him on board earlier in his career:

Samuel Luckhurst ✔ @samuelluckhurst
Only regret for #mufc with Schweinsteiger is, like with Van der Sar, they didn't sign him five or six years earlier. Still world-class.

Further down the line, when Pogba does realise his potential and become a world-class operator, there will be regrets from United about not keeping him on board. But players do sometimes need a change of scenery to galvanise themselves, especially if things just aren’t clicking with their current club.

Raiola will play a key role in Pogba’s development going forward. The agent can come across as a little abrasive on occasion, yet it’s impossible to criticise him for getting the youngster out of Old Trafford when he did when looking at how he has since developed. Hopefully, for Pogba’s sake, Raiola continues to make similarly considered decisions.

[Socrates 8296]

 

France Manager Didier Deschamps Calls For Juventus
Superstar Paul Pogba To Match Flair With Efficiency.

The 22-year-old midfielder is slowing becoming a pivotal figure for both club and country,
and national team manager Didier Deschamps recently had words of advice for the youngster.

http://www.thehardtackle.com/2015/france-manager-didier-deschamps-calls-for-juventus-superstar-paul-pogba-to-match-flair-with-efficiency/?

 
Oct 6, 2015

Part of the excitement and hype surrounding Juventus superstar Paul Pogba can be attributed to the midfielder’s flair and technical ability. The young Frenchman has been given the famous No 10 jersey by the Bianconeri this season following much speculation linking him with a move to FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC.

Pogba has the potential to be the stand-out player in the EURO 2016 tournament to be held in France at the end of this season, but his national team manager Didier Deschamps has urged the former Manchester United starlet to balance his technical ability with efficiency.


Deschamps calls for consistency and efficiency from Pogba

France take on European sides Armenia and Denmark in friendly internationals over the international break, with Didier Deschamps getting the opportunity to experiment and determine his best possible side for the tournament proper next year.
The France manager also had some words of advice for Pogba (via Goal): “It’s important to say first, that [Pogba is] already at a great level.

“The question is now in term of his consistency and efficiency. He’s capable of technical moves that will make all the fans to get up. I have no problem with that but it has to match with efficiency. That’s not always the case. I do not want that he stops doing what he does. He creates a lot. If he could improve something it would be more efficiency.”


Pogba has the tools to be the best in the world

Although Didier Deschamps’ comments make a great deal of sense, Pogba has shown remarkable growth over the past couple of seasons, becoming more mature as player as he gradually established himself in the first teams of club and country.
The France midfielder shows greater maturity particularly in his decision making when in possession, and seems to be better able to judge when to pull out a trick that will get the fans excited as opposed to when a simple pass would do the job more efficiently.

There is no doubt that he will iron out the little flaws in his game as he gains more experience at the highest level. Pogba has the talent and ability to go to the absolute top of world football, and the potential to lead what is an extremely exciting generation of young French footballers in the years to come.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Imperfect 10: Pogba's struggles
shows he's no playmaker

The former Manchester United midfielder is struggling to adapt to life in a new role
as the Serie A champions are without familiar faces to guide him along.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/10/07/16078952/-?

 
Oct 7, 2015

Just as Juventus have struggled to muster a positive start to their Serie A title defence, France midfielder Paul Pogba has failed to take up the mantle of being the Turin side’s star player.

Seven matches into the domestic campaign and the table makes for grim reading for fans of the Bianconeri. They have only eight points to their credit, have already suffered as many losses as they did in the league in the whole of last term and, perhaps most damningly, lie below an AC Milan side in the midst of crisis.

Of course, the campaign was never going to be straightforward for the Turin giants. Over the summer they lost stars such as Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez, and have been forced to move on from the side that heroically progressed to the Champions League final in June.

There was a lavish spend in an attempt to match and improve upon the summer departures, yet the new-look Juve were first and foremost to be built around Pogba – the player they had to fight so hard to prevent losing to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea.

The 22-year-old, however, has found his new-found status tough to bear. Shifted into a more advanced role and presented with the No.10 jersey formely of Tevez, Alessandro Del Piero, Michel Platini and Omar Sivori, the expectation is for his role to shift from all-action midfielder to creative catalyst, from chief of the supporting cast to centre stage.

Pogba may have been a regular at the Juventus Stadium since spectacularly barging his way out of Manchester United in the summer of 2012, decrying a lack of first-team football aged only 18, but the self-assurance that saw him battle his way out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s clutches has been scarcely evident since being handed the crucial role in Italy’s most successful club.

Before he had the experience of Pirlo and Vidal alongside him to call upon; now he is expected to drive forward a young team lacking in genuine top-level experience. It is one that he has so far found chastening.

"We’re not asking him to score three goals a game or win a match by himself," coach Masimiliano Allegri argued last month. "We’re simply asking to Paul to play as he knows how, to be a little more carefree.

"He’s only 22. At 22, you can’t act and play like you’re 30. He must put his ideas in place and play so that he can exploit his full potential."

Allegri’s tactical shift has not helped. Juve have settled into a hybrid of 3-5-2 and 4-4-2, with Pogba recently shifted into a role that effectively means he is playing narrow on the left side of midfield. In such a position it is difficult to exert a decisive influence, even for such a talented performer.

Last season Pogba found the net eight times in only 26 Serie A appearances; this term he has just one goal from seven – and even that was a penalty.

The ramifications of his downturn have been noted by national team coach Didier Deschamps, who plans to use the Paris-born youngster as a starting player at Euro 2016.

"Pogba is already at a very good level so now it is a question of effectiveness and efficiency," the France boss said on Wednesday.

"He’s capable of great pieces of skill that excite the crowd but are not always the best thing to do. He is a creative player but he can improve. He has to help the team."

Deschamps has been happy to experiment in recent friendlies, unburdened by the pressure of competitive football due to France’s host-nation status at the Euros. He has also tried Pogba in an advanced role, but his trials have been equally as fruitless as those at club level.

The Juve man, who has seemed most comfortable playing with the national team in a 4-3-3 system in which he and Blaise Matuidi operate as box-to-box players, was tried in the role against Albania back in June. Fatigued after the Champions League final, Pogba turned in an unimpressive second-half cameo as Les Bleus slumped to a shock 1-0 loss, but was equally disappointing when fielded in a similar role in the 1-0 success in Portugal three months later.

As Deschamps pointed out, decision making – the attribute critical to the success of any No.10 – has been the downfall of Pogba thus far.

Maturity is something that can only be gathered through experience, and former Manchester United team-mate Rio Ferdinand has backed the young Frenchman to be a Ballon d’Or candidate within a few years.

Speaking to BT Sport, the former England centre-back said: "I think he has the personality to be the best. I think Pogba really will go on to be the best player in the world in the next three or four years. He's got that personality. That desire to be the best player.

"The way he trains, the way he looks at his game. He believes in himself like not many other players I've seen."

In the short term, the No.10 jersey is not the correct fit for Pogba, and though he is capable of incredible feats of skill, in the long term it may also be that he is suited to playing in a deeper role. This should not, however, be considered a slight on his talent.

At the moment he is simply going through an essential phase of his development and will surely come through it a more complete and even more devastating player.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba back in a week

http://www.football-italia.net/74098/pogba-back-week?

 
Oct 9, 2015

Paul Pogba's ankle sprain was examined by the Juventus doctors, who declare: 'He'll be back in about seven days'.

The star of the Bianconeri midfield had to pull out of international duty due to injury, but should be back in time for the game against Inter on October 18.

“Paul Pogba came back to Vinovo yesterday evening, having suffered a sprain to his right ankle,” reads an official statement on the club's site.

“The player was visited by the Juventus medical staff, who confirmed the diagnosis of their French colleagues.

“The return to sporting activities will be possible in around seven days.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Frey: ‘Too much pressure on Pogba’

http://www.football-italia.net/74307/frey-%E2%80%98too-much-pressure-pogba%E2%80%99?

 
Oct 14, 2015

Chievo defender Nicolas Frey believes Juventus’ Paul Pogba “should be allowed to grow more peacefully.”

The French midfielder has come in for criticism for his early form this season, and his compatriot believes he’s struggling under the weight of expectation.

“How was Pogba when I played against him?” Frey considered in an interview with Goal.

“Honestly, not good. You can see that he’s not calm. I have no doubt he’ll become a top player, his qualities are obvious, and he did great things last season.

“But I think he’s had too many responsibilities thrust on him, and he’s struggling under the weight of that.

“Everyone expects a lot from him, both for Juve and the national team, but we mustn’t forget he’s only 22.

“I think he should be allowed to grow more peacefully.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba's House Reportedly Robbed
During Inter Milan vs. Juventus Match

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2580556-paul-pogbas-house-reportedly-robbed-during-inter-milan-vs-juventus-match?

 
Oct 19, 2015

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba was reportedly the victim of a burglary on Sunday as he took to the field for the Bianconeri's clash with Inter Milan.

According to Italian outlet giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, the Frenchman was targeted by some opportunists who knew he would not be home due to his team's visit to Milan. More details of the reported break-in are outlined in the piece:

Thieves entered his apartment in the Santa Rita area in the south-west of Turin by breaking a window and left with a number of valuables. Among the items that were confirmed as being stolen were precious gold jewellery and a host of expensive designer clothes.

Pogba discovered the break-in upon his return home on Monday morning after the team arrived back in Piedmont, where he was horrified to find his apartment had been turned upside down by the burglars.

According to the article, local authorities have carried out an assessment of the damage done at Pogba's abode and are set to open an investigation into determining who is responsible soon.

The Bianconeri's stuttering beginning to the season continued in Milan, as they notched a 0-0 draw with the Nerazzurri. As we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com, although he's been in disappointing form so far this season, the former Manchester United man looked as though he was getting back to his best during this tussle at the San Siro:

WhoScored.com ✔ @WhoScored
.@paulpogba: MotM vs Inter, Rating 7.94, Shots 3, Dribbles 6, Tackles 2, Pass Accuracy 90.9%

Pogba has been handed added responsibility in Turin after the departures of Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo last summer. At the moment, the club's iconic No. 10 jersey seems to be a heavy burden on his shoulders, but the vibrant midfielder has the talent and the temperament to become a talisman for this team.

Despite regularly being linked with a move away from the club, per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN FC), Pogba has cemented his status as one of Juve's best recent players. The youngster helped the Bianconeri to the Serie A title, Juve's fourth in a row, and Coppa Italia victory last term, as well a spot in the Champions League final.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Massimiliano Allegri calls for Paul Pogba improvement

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/juventus/news/allegri-calls-for-pogba-improvement_253146.html

 
Oct 19, 2015

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that Paul Pogba is currently struggling to produce his best form for the Old Lady.

The 22-year-old has registered zero assists and just one goal in eight Serie A appearances this season, which has led to suggestions that he is struggling to cope with the number 10 shirt.

Juve director Pavel Nedved recently claimed that he wants to see 'more substance' from the French midfielder, who again failed to impress in Sunday's goalless draw with Inter Milan.

"Paul has some very specific characteristics, he's a box to box midfielder. At the moment his timing is a little wrong and it's a lot busier with a traffic jam in midfield," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. "He is only 22 years old, but in order to bring quality, he needs to maintain intensity throughout the full 90 minutes."

Pogba was believed to be the subject of big-money bids from Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer transfer window.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba on Ballon D’Or shortlist

http://www.football-italia.net/74559/pogba-ballon-d%E2%80%99or-shortlist?

 
Oct 20, 2015

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is the only Serie A player to make the 23-man Ballon D’Or shortlist, which features no Italians.

France international Pogba has come off a sensational season with the Old Lady in which he won the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and reached the Champions League final.

His former midfield partner Arturo Vidal, who joined Bayern Munich in the summer, is also on the shortlist.

Spain’s La Liga dominates the list, with 10 players nominated including runaway favourites Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Germany’s Bundesliga has six players shortlisted, there are five from the English Premier League, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is French Ligue 1’s sole representative.

The list is put together by French outlet France Football and the winner will be announced on January 11 2016 at a gala in Zurich.


FIFA Ballon D’Or Shortlist

Sergio Aguero (Argentina/Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/VfL Wolfsburg/Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/Paris Saint-Germain), Andres Iniesta (Spain/FC Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/FC Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina/FC Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany/FC Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/FC Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/FC Barcelona), Arjen Robben (Netherlands/FC Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Colombia/Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/FC Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Côte d'Ivoire/Manchester City), Arturo Vidal (Chile/Juventus/FC Bayern Munich).

[Socrates 8296]

 

Sami Khedira says it's "an honor"
to play alongside Paul Pogba

Player speaks up about his fellow Juventus star

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/10/21/9577263/juventus-sami-khedira-paul-pogba-max-allegri-2015-champions-league

 
Oct 20, 2015

Juventus and German midfielder Sami Khedira has spoken about his experience playing in Turin. The 28-year-old joined Juve on a four-year contract from Real Madrid on a free transfer earlier this summer, and was speaking to the press ahead of Juve's Champions League game on Wednesday against Borussia Monchengladbach.

"Paul is a fantastic player, I think anyone would want his abilities.

"He's very young, I would tell him to keep his on his shoulders, to stay as focused as he is and not to create concerns.

"He has great quality and for me it is an honour to play with him."

In addition, Khedira also mentioned the momentum Juve are carrying after two wins out of two so far in the Champions League.

"We'll look to replicate our great Champions League displays. That's what we're aiming for.

"We were organised in our last game [against Inter] and dominated the second half. We can only get better as a side and grow in confidence with every game we play.

"Our players are now all in good shape, we've got many alternatives when it comes to freshening things up. We have plenty of respect for Gladbach, they've got great players and play an excellent brand of football."

Manager Massimiliano Allegri also spoke, especially in regards to Pogba's current struggles.

"It's a moment in which [Pogba] needs to find his form again and do things simply, but he's an important player for Juventus and I expect a lot from him. Pogba has plenty of room for improvement and it's important that he shows this.

"The general condition of the team is good. Tomorrow's game is decisive if we win, but it won't be with any other result. We need to play as if it were a knockout game, knowing we've got all of the game to get the result we need.

"We could move onto nine points and, considering Manchester City play Sevilla, we would gain points over them, but there would still be three games left."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba: I Have To Be Patient To Hit Top Form

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/10/pogba-i-have-to-be-patient/?

 
Oct 21, 2015

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has denied he is feeling the weight of expectation that comes with wearing the number 10 for The Old Lady.

Pogba was speaking after the Bianconeri drew a blank against Borussia Monchengladbach as they drew 0-0 at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday.

“Personally, I always want to do well, I always listen to what Allegri says.” said Pogba to Premium Sport.

“On the field we want to give our best. Does the number 10 weigh heavily? The number is just a number, if I had created a goal no one would speak of the number.

“The excessive criticism? It’s true that I have to do what the coach says, but I always have to play my football. I have to be patient,

“I hope to get a goal soon, but I have to continue to be available to the team.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

'Leave Paul Pogba alone,' urges Nedved

Juventus' newly-appointed vice-president insists the prodigal France international
is still young and said he isn't worried about the youngster's future.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3265/italian-football/2015/10/23/16614472/-?

 
Oct 23, 2015

Juventus's new vice-president Pavel Nedved says Paul Pogba needs to be "left alone", and has urged supporters not to ask too much of the midfielder.

Pogba, 22, has been the subject of intense transfer specualtion since joining Juventus on a free transfer from Manchester United, with Real Madrid, Chelsea, PSG and United all thought to be tracking the midfield maestro.

The France international has been a revelation over the past two seasons but there is added pressure on him this term following the summer departures of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, and with Euro 2016 looming on home soil.

With Juventus floundering domestically, Pogba has struggled to replicate his form so far this season and his public criticism of team-mate Alvaro Morata this week suggests the pressure is getting to him.

Nedved, who was voted the Old Lady's new vice-president on Wednesday after a board vote, insists Pogba needs to be left to get on with his football.

"Paul Pogba is our player and he is extremely talented," he said.

"For one born in 1993, he showed some exceptional things.

"I am in touch with him daily, and he doesn't need advice. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we're the ones who are asking too much from a player of that age. We must leave him alone. I have no worries, his future is extremely bright."

Before Friday's promotion, Nedved, 43, had been on the Turin club's board of directors since retiring in 2009.

He spent eight years at Juventus as a player, winning four Scudetti and claiming the Ballon d'Or in 2003.

Following the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal and Juve's subsequent relegation to Serie B, he remained at the club as several high-profile players left permanently or on loan.

He scored 11 goals in Serie B, helping the club to an instant return to the top flight and cementing his legendary status with the Bianconeri faithful.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba 'chose Juve with his heart'

http://www.football-italia.net/74752/pogba-chose-juve-his-heart?

 
Oct 24, 2015

Paul Pogba “chose to stay at Juventus and is still convinced of that choice. There’s no Barcelona deal,” said his agent.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

“Is there a deal for his future sale to Barcelona? Absolutely not,” Mino Raiola told Radio Deejay.

“Anyone who wants him has to sit down with Juve and then we’ll see. Over the summer there were three or four teams interested, but he chose to stay at Juventus and is still convinced of that choice.”

Pogba has stuttered along with the rest of Juve so far this season and it’s been said the Number 10 jersey weighs on him.

“It’s the Italian sick way of seeing things. Last year he was applauded for anything, now he’s jeered when playing the same way.

“Pogba remained at Juve because he made the choice with his heart when he had big important offers and now fans forget that.

“I think he had a difficult start to the season for many reasons, but as Pavel Nedved said, he needs to be left in peace. He’s a great champion who is going through the same period of form as the rest of his teammates.

“In the last game, I saw the old Pogba.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba agent denies Juventus and
Barcelona have agreed deal over sale

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/story/2683379/paul-pogba-agent-denies-talk-barcelona-deal-with-juventus?

 
Oct 26, 2015

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has not made any pre-contract agreement to join Barcelona next summer despite reports in Italy that a deal is already in place, his agent has insisted.

Pogba, 22, was linked with the Blaugrana all summer, and the Bianconeri turned down a substantial offer to keep hold of the France international.

It has since been reported that Juve's refusal was not outright, however, and that they had instead agreed to keep hold of Pogba for the season before allowing him to join the Catalans next summer.

Mino Raiola, however, insists Pogba chose to stay at Juve because of his love for the club.

"He stayed at Juve because his heart told him to, even though there were some big offers for him," Raiola told Radio Deejay.

On whether there was a pre-agreement with Barca, Raiola said: "Absolutely not -- whoever wants to sign him has got to sit down with Juve and then we will see.

"There were three or four clubs interested him in the summer, but he decided to stay at Juve and he is convinced he made the right choice."

Pogba's form this season has not yet lived up to the standards he set in the past two seasons, and there has been criticism of his performances, linked with the suggestions that he will move to Spain next summer and is therefore no longer as committed to the cause as he used to be.

"He had a difficult start for various reasons, but as [Juve sporting director Pavel] Nedved said, he needs to be left in peace," Raiola added. "He's a great champion who's going through a rough spell like the whole of the team. I saw the old Pogba again in his last game."

Raiola added that the iconic No. 10 shirt -- given to Pogba following Carlos Tevez's departure -- he is wearing "is only a number" which should not be affecting his performances, although Pogba amended it for his side's 2-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday, adding the number 75 in handwriting.

The reference, it emerged after, was to mark the 75th birthday of Brazil legend Pele.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Didier Deschamps blasts Juventus
for giving Paul Pogba No. 10 shirt

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/story/2686329/deschamps-blasts-juventus-for-giving-paul-pogba-no-10-shirt?

 
Oct 28, 2015

France coach Didier Deschamps has slammed Juventus' decision to give Paul Pogba the No. 10 shirt, claiming it has placed too much responsibility on a player who is trying to fulfill a role which is not his.

Pogba asked for and obtained the iconic jersey this summer following the transfer of Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors.

It is a number previously worn by Zinedine Zidane and Alessandro Del Piero. Deschamps is concerned that Pogba, 22, is trying to live up to the expectations of wearing that shirt so much by adapting his own game to play like those who wore it before him.

"Giving Pogba the No. 10 shirt was and still is a big mess," Deschamps told Tuttosport. "The number was available and I don't know who made this decision, but the important thing is Paul does not change the way he plays.

Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri says he isn't planning too far ahead as Juve aim to get back on track against Sassuolo.
"I know full well that he is not a No. 10; he's not a second forward. I'll always allow him the freedom to go forward, but he's a midfielder and he also needs to work defensively. It might not be what he likes the most, but it's important that he does this for the team."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Agent Claims Juventus Rejected
Three Mammoth Bids For Paul Pogba

http://www.thehardtackle.com/2015/agent-claims-juventus-fc-rejected-three-mammoth-bids-for-paul-pogba/?

 
Oct 29, 2015

Juventus star Paul Pogba, despite staying in Turin for the season, has had his name linked with all the top clubs across the continent throughout the summer, with super agent Mino Raiola revealing that Juventus did receive three mammoth offers for the star midfielder.

Raiola, known for his outspoken nature, has already started moving the screws in the background to earn his star client Pogba a move to a new club, with FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich being touted as the favoured destinations.

Raiola used his contacts in Italian football to help the former Manchester United youngster earn a move to Juventus after he declined to sign a contract extension under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Raiola, in recent days, has been fanning for a move to Bayern Munich as both Pogba and his agent look to put some distance behind to the rumours of a pre-signed agreement with FC Barcelona.

The outspoken agent said that his client would be open to a move to Bayern Munich, provided coach Pep Guardiola was retained.
He told RMC(h/t Tribal Football) “I do not know what will happen between Juventus and Barcelona in the future regarding Pogba.

“The Bianconeri have received three offers of €85 million from England, Spain and Germany last summer, but all have been rejected.

“The assessment I think is around €100 million. Bayern? There would be no problem, Guardiola is a great coach.”


Pogba indifferent form

Pogba seems to be having some problem after losing his rich vein of form from last season and is definitely trying to over-complicate things. Moreover, having lost his partners in midfield during the summer as well Carlos Tevez in attack, Pogba was handed the number 10 jersey and seems to be overwhelmed with its responsibilty.