Paul Pogba

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba motivational '+5'

http://www.football-italia.net/75130/pogba-motivational-5

 
Nov 1, 2015

Paul Pogba reportedly scrawled ‘+5’ on his Juventus 10 jersey on the advice of Leonardo Bonucci’s motivation coach.

The Frenchman had the writing in a felt pen on his shirt in a previous game, but it was said to read ‘75’ as a happy birthday message for Pele.

However, there is no doubting that it was ‘+5’ during the Derby della Mole, as he scored in the 2-1 victory over Torino.

According to La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport, this was suggested to Pogba by Alberto Ferrarrini, Bonucci’s former motivation coach.

It is to help the 22-year-old feel the responsibility of the iconic 10 less while he gets used to the situation.

Pogba wore 6 for most of his career and as captain of the France side that won the Under-20 World Cup in 2013.

This isn’t entirely new, as Inter striker Ivan Zamorano had ‘1+8’ printed on his jersey because Ronaldo already had 9.

While some fans feel Pogba should do whatever it takes to get performances like yesterday’s, others claim he is insulting the Number 10 shirt by changing it.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba not guaranteed to leave Juventus
next summer, says agent

The France international has been linked with many clubs and Mino Raiola
revealed three unnamed suitors had made bids, but warned he could remain in Turin.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/11/02/16924212/-?

 
Nov 2, 2015

Paul Pogba could stay at Juventus beyond the end of the season, according to the midfielder's agent.

In July, the Serie A champions claimed that they had rejected an €80 million bid for the France international, while Chelsea and Manchester City were also among the clubs interested during the summer.

"Three teams had put offers of around €85 million plus bonuses on the table but he wanted to stay at Juve and Juve wanted to keep him," Mino Raiola told GR Parlamento.

"He has never been told he must leave after this season, he could stay another year because he decided to extend his contract with them.

"Right now there is no pre-agreement with anybody."

Speaking about Pogba's possible suitors, Raiola signalled that they must satisfy both his client and the club's needs for a deal to prosper.

"When the right proposal comes along at the right time and with everybody's goodwill, we can start advancing," he said.

"But whoever wants Pogba will still have to come to an agreement with Juventus."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba needs time to grow into Juventus role - Del Piero

The 40-year-old believes Juve's new number 10 must be given more time to develop
into the role, following calls for improvement from Massimiliano Allegri.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2015/11/05/17007982/-?

 
Nov 5, 2015

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has called for patience towards Paul Pogba after his slow start to the season.

Pogba has struggled for form since taking over the iconic number 10 shirt in Turin at the start of the campaign, and this has coincided with the Serie A champion's worst domestic start in over 30 years.

Despite setting up Stephan Lichtsteiner in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladback on Wednesday, coach Massimiliano Allegri urged he still must improve.

Yet Del Piero feels he must be given time to grow into the role.

"Today it [the no. 10 shirt] is being worn by a very young and very talented player who half of Europe want to sign," he said.

"Let's give him time to learn, to make mistakes and to grow."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba: ‘Juventus in my heart’

http://www.football-italia.net/75357/pogba-%E2%80%98juventus-my-heart%E2%80%99?

 
Nov 5, 2015

Paul Pogba describes Juventus as “the club of my heart” because “they let me prove myself in football.”

The French midfielder came through the youth teams at Manchester United [joining from Le Havre], but made just three League appearances for the Red Devils.

He moved to Turin on a free transfer in 2012, and has become one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe.

“Juve are the first team where I started to play,” Pogba told the club’s official television channel.

“They’re the team who allowed me to go to the national team, the team where I scored my first goal, so now they’re the club of my heart.

“They let me prove myself in football, and had the confidence in me to put me on the pitch.

“How much do I love Juve out of 10? 10! Since I’ve been here, I’ve always given my best for the club, for the shirt, for everything. I play at 100 per cent. Always.”

Pogba has become known for his long-range strikes, and was asked how often he works on them in training.

“When it’s 11 against zero, with no goalkeeper!” Pogba laughed.

“There’s a goalkeeper, I try to do some shooting at the end of training, alone with a goalkeeper, to improve.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba: ‘Juventus can come back’

http://www.football-italia.net/75358/pogba-%E2%80%98juventus-can-come-back%E2%80%99?

 
Nov 5, 2015

Paul Pogba insists Juventus “can come back” despite a “difficult” start to the season.

The Bianconeri are currently languishing in 10th-place in Serie A, after a poor start to the defence of their title.

“It’s been a difficult start to the season, but we can come back,” Pogba declared in an interview with JTV.

“We just have to take it one game at a time and try and win some games. We’re only thinking about the next game, that’s how it has to be.

“Before everyone knew we were winning, and this year it’s even more difficult. When you win the Scudetto four times, everyone is waiting for Juve, and wants to win against Juve.

“It’s normal that it’s increasingly difficult, but we know what we need to do, we know it will be much more difficult than last year and past years.

“We always have confidence and trust in ourselves, we always have to think about the next game and give our all.”

The 22-year-old also discussed his relationship with the club’s fans, thanking them for their backing.

“We always need them, just as much when we’re doing badly as when we’re doing well.

“In the 80th or 90th minute, just the fact of hearing ‘Forza Juve’ gives us strength, you want to do something for them, for the team, and they help you a lot.

“It gives you energy, the derby [against Torino] is the perfect example.”

The Old Lady’s next test is away to Empoli on Sunday, and Pogba is expecting a tough game.

“It’s a tough game, it’s away from home,” the Frenchman explained.

“Before we go away with our national teams we want to win, we want to get closer to the top.

“Every game is difficult, but we have to think about this one, be very focused and try to win.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

‘Honour to wear number 10’

http://www.football-italia.net/75359/%E2%80%98honour-wear-number-10%E2%80%99

 
Nov 5, 2015

Paul Pogba describes the “honour” of wearing the “very important” Juventus number 10 shirt.

The midfielder took over the number in the summer from Carlos Tevez, with the shirt previously having been worn by Alessandro Del Piero, Roberto Baggio and Michel Platini.

“When I put the Juve shirt on it’s always an honour, because I know that at Juventus the number 10 is very important,” Pogba told JTV.

“Really great players have had it - Platini, Baggio, Del Piero - so it’s an honour for me to play with this number.

“I tell myself I have to do as well as them, otherwise everyone will be waiting for me and they’ll kill me!

“I have to do well, I have to respect this number, this shirt.”

The Bianconeri drew with Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League in midweek, meaning they only need a point against Manchester City to ensure qualification.

“We know that Juventus are on a higher level than Borussia, and it’s always more difficult to play against a smaller club, we were away from home too.

“We wanted to win, and after the red card it was difficult.

“City? We always want to win, so we’ll have to see. The most important thing is to get through, if we have to get a draw… I don’t know, I’m not the Coach.

“If we have to go through and we need a draw we won’t force it, but primarily we want to win.”

Finally, the 22-year-old was asked about his goals for the rest of his career.

“One day I want to win the Ballon d’Or, the Champions League, the World Cup… I want to win it all,” Pogba declared.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba: Things Are More Difficult
Because Everyone Wants To Beat Juventus

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/11/pogba-things-are-more-difficult-because-everyone-wants-to-beat-juventus/?

 
Nov 5, 2015

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba acknowledged that every game is a challenge because all opponents want to get one over the Bianconeri.

The France international recognised that things have been difficult at the start of the season, but he believes that Juve can fight back by approaching matters one game at a time.

“When we play for Juventus we know that it is more difficult when we’re against a smaller club playing at home,” said Pogba to Filo Diretto.

“The start to the season was difficult but now we need to win and only worry about the next game.

“It’s more difficult to play with your own style after winning the Scudetto for four consecutive seasons because everybody wants to beat you.”

The 22-year-old also looked back on Juve’s 1-1 draw away at Borussia Monchengladbach.

“The red card [for Hernanes] was difficult to digest,” added Pogba.

“It was an important point but the focus is now on the next round and we must aim to win.

“I go to training every day and try my best, some days it goes better than others but football is like that.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

France Coach Has Faith In Juventus Star

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/11/france-coach-has-faith-in-juventus-star/?

 
Nov 6, 2015

Speaking ahead of a set of friendlies against rivals Germany and England, France coach Didier Deschamps had nothing but sympathetic words for France and Juventus star Paul Pogba.

After a summer of upheaval for the Bianconeri, Pogba has become the central cog for the reigning Serie A champions, a role in which critics say he has not yet lived up to but Deschamps has urged fans and critics alike to give the young Frenchman more time.

“Pogba is playing once every three or four days,” the former Juventus player and coach began.

“He has had good matches and others not as good, but he has not played terribly.

“When he is at his best, he is able to create something special out of nothing.”

Deschamps made a point to emphasize the fact that Pogba is still only 22 and will improve over time.

“Pogba is still young, ups and downs are normal for a player of his age,” Deschamps continued.

“I know what he is capable of and I know what is going on at Juventus, with so many departures and arrivals over the summer.

“He does have to adapt, but no one questions his potential.

“I’m here to help him improve.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Why Paul Pogba Will Spend
2 More Seasons at Juventus

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2584824-why-paul-pogba-will-spend-2-more-seasons-at-juventus?

 
Nov 6, 2015

If any combination of footballer and agent have successfully executed their presumed plan for world domination, Paul Pogba and Mino Raiola warrant gold medals of some distinction.

At one point surplus to the Manchester United first team under Sir Alex Ferguson, the French midfielder has blossomed into arguably the world's best under-23 player. While his client hones himself at Juventus, Raiola has used the rapid ascension expertly.

No longer an out-and-out prospect but now a legitimate world-class option, Pogba's value has skyrocketed over the past three seasons. This has meant a larger profile and, in turn, copious rumours about his leaving Italy for pastures deemed greener.

The 22-year-old, though, sees Juventus as a green pasture.

They gave him an opportunity at a massive club—whereas United failed—and have been more than accommodating in terms of matches, minutes and money (all while employing a venerable list of midfield talent).

Pogba, rightly so, feels a sense of loyalty to the Old Lady, as he recently discussed with Juventus' official broadcasting network (via Football Italia):

Juve are the first team where I started to play. They are the team who allowed me to go to the [France] national team, the team where I scored my first goal, so now they are the club of my heart.

They let me prove myself in football, and had the confidence in me to put me on the pitch.

How much do I love Juve out of 10? 10! Since I've been here, I have always given my best for the club, for the shirt, for everything. I play at 100 percent, always.

Loyalty is often mentioned but scarcely found.

As a general rule: One is not loyal, nor beholden, to an entity—rather paycheques. Most loyalty evaporates like fog when the sun breaks once money is removed, but we cannot discount the minute percentage of relationships that display true allegiance.

Pogba's connection to "the club of his heart" cannot be easily broken, and only the Frenchman can answer how much money per week is enough for him to leave Juventus—but his agent has an idea about the transfer fee.

Raiola, as reported by the Sun's Carl Long, told reporters: "There were three big clubs with [£60 million] on the table, or a little more including add-ons, which took the total to [£70.6 million]. But a deal was not concluded because Pogba didn’t want to leave and Juventus wanted him to stay for at least another year."

Summer 2016 seems the natural conclusion to this episode, but assumptions can be misleading.

Next summer's transfer window, however, will be invariably muddled by the European Championship. France host the tournament, meaning Pogba's plate should be full. Transfers are likely to happen early, though, which will set the table for chaos.

The three clubs Long's piece hints were chasing the young central midfielder are Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea; Raiola excluded Barcelona from proceedings, asserting the Catalan giants buying Pogba has "no chance."

All have the finical wherewithal to capture the 22-year-old, and should he become available, the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich or even Manchester United cannot be discounted either.

Raiola is waiting for the ideal time to move his prized asset, and Pogba apparently wants to further repay the debt he feels to Juventus for his career.
Next summer might be too early for both wishes to be fulfilled.

Summer 2017 would give Pogba five years in Turin, a healthy portion for any career, and ample time to weigh each potential next step without the added burden/pressure of carrying a nation's hopes on his shoulders.

In the end, he might find leaving Juventus makes no sense and decide to stay longer, or discover a club that further matches his ambitions.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba: I want to win Ballon d'Or
and Champions League at Juventus

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/juventus/story/2701258/paul-pogba-i-want-ballon-dor-champions-league-with-juve?

 
Nov 6, 2015

Paul Pogba says he wants to "win everything" with Juventus and prove to the world that he is worthy of his No. 10 shirt.

After making an admittedly sub-standard start to the season, Pogba, 22, is now hitting form again, providing a superb pass for Stephan Lichtsteiner's equaliser in Tuesday's 1-1 Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach -- a result which leaves Juve within touching distance of reaching the last 16 of the competition.

The France international, who has been linked with a big-money move to Barcelona next summer, still harbours high ambitions with the Turin club, where he hopes to realise his dreams and pay them back for the faith they have shown in him.

"I want to win the Ballon d'Or, the Champions League and the World Cup," he said during a question and answer session on Juventus TV. "I want to win everything.

"Juve are the club who really showed belief in me as a youngster and helped me develop into the player I am today. It was here where I scored my first goal as a professional and was given the opportunity to prove myself in competitive action every week, so for that reason Juventus will always be close to my heart."

Pogba received the iconic No. 10 shirt at his request in the summer and it was claimed this added responsibility might have been hampering him.

He insists he knows what it means to wear such an important number for the club, however, and intends to do it justice.

"Knowing how much significance the number bears at this great club, it's an honour," he said. "To wear the same shirt as legendary players such as Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero is a real privilege.

"From the moment I arrived here, I've given everything I have to offer. That's just me, I always want to give 100 percent and no less. Whenever I cross the white line I want to learn, improve and give my all. So I guess I'd say that the level of effort I put into my game is always the same whether I'm on a great run or not."

Juve can move a step closer to one of Pogba's objectives when they face Manchester City in the Champions League on Nov. 25.

They need just two draws from their remaining two group games to follow City into the last 16, but a win at home to the Premier League side would secure their place with a match to spare.

"We go out to win every match we play," Pogba said. "As for Manchester City specifically, the most important thing is to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League. If that means drawing in a couple of weeks then so be it, but our first priority is always to leave the field as winners."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Juventus star Paul Pogba shows
off outrageous new hair style

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/blog/the-toe-poke/65/post/2706148/pogba-has-an-interesting-new-style?

 
Nov 9, 2015

When it comes to airing a new and outrageous hairstyle, Paul Pogba is not exactly backward in coming forward.

Over the years, the Juventus midfielder has sported a vast array of spectacular dye jobs, ranging from the simple bleach to the trees and stars we've been treated to lately. However, even by his own standards, Pogba's latest style is a cut (ahem) above the rest.

The French youngster showed up for a media engagement at his national team's Clairefontaine training headquarters sporting a daring new look, this time using the power of peroxide.


Equipe de France ✔ @equipedefrance
.@paulpogba à Clairefontaine avec les #bleus.

Thoroughly impressive, if only down to the hours of work involved. You've got to give it to the guy, he doesn't deal in half measures.

[Socrates 8296]

 

'Morata, Pogba away from Juve'

http://www.football-italia.net/75759/morata-pogba-away-juve?

 
Nov 14, 2015

FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti expects Alvaro Morata and Paul Pogba to leave Juventus for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

The Merengues have a buyback clause on Morata that will become active in summer of 2016, potentially depriving the Bianconeri of one of their most solid strikers.

“As far as I know Real's intention is of taking him back,” Bronzetti told Tuttosport. “But we'll have to see what Morata himself says.

“You don't go to Real with reluctance. They certainly aren't the type of club that will keep those who don't want to stay with them.

“Let's say it's too early, the situation will be resolved in the next few months.

“Real are changing their policies and they are putting a lot more emphasis on the players from their youth squads.

“Recently they pitched ten players from the 'cantera'. For them, someone like Morata may be interesting too.”

Bronzetti then went on to discuss Roma's Gervinho and Juventus' midfield star Paul Pogba.

“Gervinho was already in Dubai, everything was settled. Then the deal crashed at the last second and now he's decisive where he is.

“As for Pogba, I know that Barcelona are after him. It's likely he'll end up there sooner or later.

“We'll have to see whether Juventus decide to sell him. In any case Barca are not the only Spanish club looking for him.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Barcelona Transfer News:
Paul Pogba Move 'Likely'

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2589280-barcelona-transfer-news-paul-pogba-move-likely-latest-blaugrana-rumours?

 
Nov 14, 2015

FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti believes Paul Pogba will leave Juventus in the near future and that Barcelona is a likely destination for the prized France international.

Bronzetti discussed the futures of the midfielder and Juve striker Alvaro Morata with Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), declaring Pogba could join the Blaugrana if the Old Lady sanction the move: "As for Pogba, I know that Barcelona are after him. It's likely he'll end up there sooner or later. We'll have to see whether Juventus decide to sell him. In any case Barca are not the only Spanish club looking for him."

The former Manchester United player's huge reputation suggests the other Spanish club interested is Real Madrid, as La Liga's two superpowers are likely the only teams who could afford him.

Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane revealed Real's initial interest in the summer, commenting about Pogba to radio station RTL (h/t Alec Fenn of Goal):

He has everything. I think that he’s fantastic. What I like about him is that he has it all.

He is a complete player who also has the ability to score goals because he likes to get forward. In terms of footballing qualities, he is extraordinary.

A lot of clubs are interested in him and so are Real. It is natural that talented players are of interest to all the big clubs.

Pogba has been given the reins to Juventus' midfield after the summer exits of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but the early exchanges of the campaign haven't been good for the Serie A champions.

The side lies seventh, nine points from the summit, having already lost four times this season.

If Pogba cannot lead the Juve midfield, a sale would generate a huge amount of cash for the Italians, and they could continue the rebuilding process they have been forced into since their Champions League final appearance in June.

As Barca consider the virtues of adding Pogba to their core, veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets has said he wants to stay at the Camp Nou for the foreseeable future despite being "attracted" by a switch to English football.

The player told Luis Arnaiz for the Royal's Spanish Football Federation's monthly publication (h/t Jordi Gil of Sport) the atmosphere of the Premier League is appealing but that his heart remains in Catalonia: “I don’t deny that the Premier League and its atmosphere attracts me, but it’s never crossed my mind to change to another club. I feel loved and valued at Barcelona.”

Busquets suffered a knock playing for Spain against England on Friday night, as the home side ran out 2-0 winners. The midfielder asked to be replaced after identifying a thigh issue, and departed in the second half, as confirmed by Cataluyna Radio (h/t Sport).

On the Barca No. 5's prospective midfield team-mate, football writer Graham Ruthven told Bleacher Report why he believes Pogba should be Barcelona's next big signing as the team evolves toward playing a more dynamic style.

Barcelona have maintained their place at the top of La Liga despite the recent injury to Lionel Messi, but it appears they are in a transitional period as their performances this term have failed to match last season's levels.

Pogba would bring a new dimension to Barca's midfield, not only adding physical power but providing a talent who could also play the team's traditional style.

Alongside Busquets, the 22-year-old would have the protection to play his forward-thinking game, and the Spaniard would offer Pogba the experienced partner he needs to control the middle of the park.

The Frenchman is good enough to play for any club side in the world, but if manager Luis Enrique harbours any ambition to capture the player, the price tag could break the existing record of £85.3 million that took Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in 2013.

[Socrates 8296]

 

'Only a matter of time
before Pogba joins Barcelona'

Fifa agent Ernesto Bronzetti expects Luis Enrique's men to eventually land the midfielder
and believes there is a high possibility Alvaro Morata will return to Real Madrid.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2892/transfer-zone/2015/11/14/17336002/-?

 
Nov 14, 2015

Juventus will eventually lose Paul Pogba to Barcelona, according to Fifa agent Ernesto Bronzetti.

The 22-year-old mainstay in the Bianconeri midfield was targeted by a host of Europe's wealthiest sides over the summer, with Barcelona amongst the forerunners for his signature.

Pogba ultimately spurned the advances of the treble winners, but Bronzetti believes it is only a matter of time before the sought-after France international turns out in their colours.

"I know that Barcelona are after him [Pogba]," he told Tuttosport. "It's likely he'll end up there sooner or later.

“We'll have to see whether Juventus decide to sell him. In any case, Barca are not the only Spanish club looking for him.”


Bronzetti also stated the Serie A champions could be set to lose Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid, with the capital club retaining an option to re-sign their academy product for €30 million at the end of this season.

"As far as I know Real's intention is of taking him back,” he continued. “But we'll have to see what Morata himself says.

"You don't go to Real with reluctance. They certainly aren't the type of club that will keep those who don't want to stay with them.

"Real are changing their policies and they are putting a lot more emphasis on the players from their youth squads. For them, someone like Morata may be interesting too.”

The striker moved to Turin for €20m in the summer of 2014, with his goals proving crucial to Massimiliano Allegri's men winning a league and cup double last term.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Analysing the Importance of Paul Pogba
to Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2590730-analysing-the-importance-of-paul-pogba-to-massimiliano-allegris-juventus?

 
Nov 19, 2015

This summer Juventus were hit by a rash of high-profile departures. Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente left for Boca Juniors and Sevilla respectively, prompting a retooling that left only one player—Alvaro Morata—from last year's striker pool.

Even more important was the reshuffling of the midfield, which lost Andrea Pirlo to New York City FC and Arturo Vidal to Bayern Munich.

The signings of Pirlo (on a free from AC Millan) and Vidal (for €12.5 million from Bayer Leverkusen) in 2011 were the catalysts of Juve's rise from back-to-back seventh-placed finishes to four-time defending champions. Pirlo's pinpoint passing keyed Juve's attack, while Vidal's energy and all-round skill was the team's prime mover.

Those departures threw a huge amount of pressure on 22-year-old Paul Pogba.

The young Frenchman is one of the most sought-after players in the game. A new rumor seems to come up every few weeks. In October, the Express linked him with Chelsea, Manchester City and former club Manchester United, but named Barcelona as the favorite to land him once their transfer ban ends. For their part, Juventus have valued him at €100 million, and they could hold out for a fee higher than Gareth Bale's record from 2013.

Between that humungous price tag, the responsibility that comes with his new status as one of Juve's most important midfielders, and the weight of his new No. 10 shirt, Pogba has become one of the most scrutinized footballers in the world—and possibly Juve's most important player.

Why is Pogba so important for coach Massimiliano Allegri? It all starts not with Pogba, but Vidal.

Arturo Vidal is a truly exceptional footballer. Two years ago, this column made the case that he was the best in the world.

Yes, you read that right. No player combines elite skills as a passer, scorer and defender the way Vidal does.

The effect of that combination on Juve's game was indescribable. The Bianconeri were able to rely on his goalscoring prowess from the midfield to compensate for the lack of a top forward—and when Tevez arrived, they both became exponentially more dangerous together thanks to his ability to score and pass. His defensive abilities locked down the midfield, allowing no opponent to get the upper hand.

Vidal's absence has been glaring this year, and it's been exacerbated by a series of injuries to the midfield. Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira were both out until October with leg injuries, leaving Pogba the last man standing of the vaunted Antonio Conte-era midfield in the first six weeks of the season. He was forced to try to form on-the-fly chemistry with the likes of Hernanes, Simone Padoin, Stefano Sturaro and Mario Lemina.

While the latter two of that group have incredible potential and could be major parts of Juve's midfield in time, none of them are on the level of either Pogba or Vidal (or Marchisio or Khedira, for that matter).

For those first six weeks of the season, Pogba obviously felt the pressure. He was trying to do everything, to score three goals with one kick. His form showed that. He gave the ball away, his passing was wayward, and his shooting, often so devastating from range, was badly off target.

The return of Khedira and Marchisio has done much to rectify the situation. Pogba is far more grounded out there when he has the two older men around him. With them, he has settled in and started to display the form that has made him so sought-after in the first place. His sublime assist against Borussia Monchengladbach—an inch-perfect diagonal loft to Stephan Lichtsteiner—is a sign that he's finally started to gain traction.

There are things that Vidal can do that Pogba can't match. While he is a good defender, Vidal is still far ahead of him. If you do the math based on his statistics at WhoScored.com, he averaged 4.375 tackles per match in the league over his four seasons. Including this season, Pogba's numbers as a Juventus player only average out to 2.15 per match, including the first part of this season.

It's almost impossible to match the all-around production of a player like Vidal. Pogba is quality in his own way, but he has to use that way to fill Vidal's shoes.

Pogba is the closest Allegri has to what Vidal could bring—and now he has to use his talents to fix the void that Vidal left when he returned to Germany. Khedira and Marchisio are good players, but Pogba is the better player—and he's not even close to his ceiling yet.

Without Vidal, Juventus' midfield took a huge hit. That production was incredibly important, and Pogba is key to replacing it. If he does, Juve have a chance to actually climb the table and make a real run at defending their title. If he doesn't, they'll be scrapping for the Champions League.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba needs to be more of a boss - Petit

The retired midfielder tells Goal that his fellow Frenchman has to be allowed
to play without any restrictions if he is to rediscover his very best form.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3310/goal-50/2015/11/24/17653602/-?

 
Nov 24, 2015

Emmanuel Petit says that Goal 50 contender Paul Pogba must "be a boss" and demand more freedom on the pitch from Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Pogba is regarded as one of the finest midfielders in world football and was the subject of an €80 million bid from Barcelona during the summer.

The France international decided to remain in Turin, though, and was given Juve's prestigious No.10 jersey for the 2015-16 campaign.

However, Pogba has struggled to replicate his very best form so far this season and Petit feels that the onus is on his compatriot to ensure that he be deployed in his best position.

"Pogba needs to be a boss, a leader," the former Arsenal and Barcelona ace told Goal. "He is already, but only in a soft manner.

"I think that he needs his team-mates to play well. He needs a team that is tactically balanced because when you are Paul Pogba, you have your way.

"He is one of those players who need freedom on the pitch. He needs to smell the game and use his flair.

"He needs to be able to move constantly without restrictions."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Raiola: ‘Pogba won’t leave in January’

http://www.football-italia.net/76346/raiola-%E2%80%98pogba-won%E2%80%99t-leave-january%E2%80%99?

 
Nov 27, 2015

Paul Pogba’s agent “categorically” rules out a move away from Juventus in January, but is less sure about the summer.

The French midfielder is one of the most sought-after players in world football, with the Bianconeri turning down an €80m bid from Barcelona this summer.

“Pogba is no longer a surprise,” Mino Raiola told Mediaset.

“He’s not a youngster just being discovered. A player with his talent is known to everybody. There have been offers for him, and they're still there.

“Last summer he decided to stay another year at Juve, and he kept his word. We’re not preoccupied with thoughts of his future, we’re thinking about that.

“Paul is a lad who decides with his heart, and at the moment he’s focused on Juventus. I can categorically rule out a move in January.

“In the future we’ll see, we’ll talk at the end of July.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paul Pogba is starting to look like the
Paul Pogba we're all used to seeing

And what does this mean for Juventus? Probably something good, IMHO.

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2015/12/2/9803992/paul-pogba-2015-serie-a-champions-league-form-HOT-TRANSFER-RUMORS-HERE

 
Dec 2, 2015

I've said it here before and I am about to say it again: When looking at one single player who pretty much embodied Juventus' early-season struggles and frustration, you needed to look no further than one Paul Labile Pogba. The team couldn't find their footing out of the gate, and neither could Pogba. One went with the other, which resulted in plenty of grumbling amongst Juventus fans alike.

Just as it was not a good start to the 2015-16 campaign for Juventus, Pogba's struggles to the begin his time as the man who donned the club's No. 10 jersey are rather well-documented at this point. "Why is Pogba struggling so much?" they said. Others pondered if the weight of such a historically significant number and a major uptick in responsibility with the departure of two midfield stalwarts. We all tried to play armchair manager/psychiatrist while trying to figure out what was truly at the heart of Pogba's early-season funk.

But here's another correlation between Juventus as a whole and Pogba himself: As the team's form is starting to seriously find its footing and head on an upward trajectory in the month of November, the same can be said for the 22-year-old Frenchman. Juventus is getting better as the season is heading toward its midway point, and it's now pretty clear that it's the same when it comes to Pogba's game.

Ah, now that's refreshing to see, isn't it?

You see, Pogba's too good and too talented to play like he did earlier in the season for an extended stretch of time. To see somebody as talented as he is struggle for a month or so is one thing because it happens to everybody at some point. Nobody is immune to a run of bad form. But to have that last for massive stretches throughout the season — no matter what the current state of the club is at that given time — is a completely different deal.

It's not just the successful return of the fancy tricks that we saw Pogba bust out against Manchester City or any of the other games these last few weeks. This is the return of the entire offering of Pogba's game, essentially. There's not just small glimpses of what might be viewed as Pogba getting out of his form struggles. This is the entire package of Pogba's game that is starting to truly show itself once again. Those forward-bursting runs from one end of the field to the other are back.

He's not the hot-and-cold kind of performer these days, either. Much like the team, he's found consistency in his game. How much of that has to do with Claudio Marchisio being back from injury to help shoulder the burden, I dunno exactly, but it has to help a pretty good amount just knowing that Pogba doesn't have to shoulder the load in the midfield anymore these days. Juventus haven't lost a game since Marchisio returned from injury, which obviously proves the point that he is so incredibly important to this current Juve squad.

So much of Pogba's early-season problems came when he was trying to do too much. But now that he's not forcing the issue, hie's resembling his old self. And that might be the most important thing of all when it comes to Pogba's return to form.

How many times did we see Pogba trying to overdo most things in the first part of the season? How often did we see Pogba screaming at the top of his lungs when things were going all sorts of wrong in September and October? It wasn't just once. It wasn't just twice. Whether it was feeling the weight of his new jersey number of him trying to overcompensate But now that things are simpler, more results are starting to show.

Pogba's best games came in the month of November. Same goes for Juventus as a whole. One translates to another, which makes a whole lot of sense when you apply simple logic to the situation. Juventus' rise up the table has been thanks to a lot of factors, but one of the biggest was Pogba righting the ship and playing like the guy we all know he can be and has been in the past.

It might have been a somewhat slow and arduous adaptation to the new season, but now that we're heading toward Christmas season, it's not like it once was back in September. Juventus is starting to truly grow into the season and hit its stride, and so is Paul Labile Pogba.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Juve's Paul Pogba pressing his claim as the
best box-to-box midfielder around

http://www.espnfc.co.uk/italian-serie-a/12/blog/post/2738479/paul-pogba-makes-his-case-for-being-the-best-midfielder?

 
Dec 6, 2015

Massimiliano Allegri made no secret of his desire to recruit a new No. 10 for Juventus this summer. The shirt had been vacated by Carlos Tevez, but the manager's request to the club board had more to do with the departure of Arturo Vidal. It was the Chilean who performed the duties that we most often associate with a No. 10, acting as the link between midfield and attack in Allegri's 4-3-1-2.

Julian Draxler and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were each sought, but the former chose Wolfsburg and the latter stayed at Borussia Dortmund. As Juventus ran out of time and options, another alternative was put forward. Paul Pogba had requested the No. 10 shirt, so why not try him in that role? On the surface, he might have seemed a natural fit. Pogba already scored more goals than the average midfielder, with 15 in his previous two Serie A campaigns. And he had provided ample evidence of his ability to unpick a defence, from the devious side-of-the-heel pass to wrong-foot Genoa's defenders last March to the swivel-and-chip to release Tevez at San Siro six months later.

Allegri experimented with the idea in preseason, deploying Pogba at No. 10 for a friendly against Lechia Gdansk. Juventus won 2-1, and the player told reporters afterward that he had "found himself comfortable behind the two strikers." And yet when pressed on whether this might be a role that he wanted to make his own in future, he replied that "I just like to play."

It was an exchange that hinted at something fundamental in Pogba's character: an underlying unselfishness, a willingness to put himself at the service of the team. As pleasing as such traits might be to a manager, there was a question here as to whether such a gifted player should really be adapting himself to fit a particular scheme, rather than the other way around.

"Paul is different to all the others I have had as clients," said Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola. "He would never allow himself to tell his manager 'play me here' or 'put me there.' He needs to get better at that. At a certain point, a great player needs to start saying what they want to do."

Allegri, by contrast, has never been shy of his convictions. He quickly concluded he did not like Pogba behind the attack and drew him back into midfield, abandoning the use of a No. 10 altogether and reverting to the 3-5-2 he had inherited when he first took the Juventus job after Antonio Conte. For the first few games of the new Serie A season, Pogba struggled badly. It was mooted that the burden of leading the midfield was too great for him now that both Vidal and Andrea Pirlo had departed. More than that, though, he looked like a player who did not understand his role in the team.

In the absence of a No. 10, was Pogba still supposed to carry the ball forward from midfield or did Allegri intend him to be a deep-lying playmaker? A study of the heat maps from these games show he was roaming all over the pitch. Watching Juventus live, it was apparent that he was failing to impose himself anywhere.

After Pogba was left out of the starting XI for the 1-1 draw with Chievo in September, Alessandro Del Piero posited that the No. 10 shirt was resting heavy on the Frenchman's shoulders. "The choice of number has not helped him," he said. "It weighed on me the first few years." That theory gained credence after Pogba was seen to have scrawled a "+5" on his shirt during a game against Atalanta. It was initially reported as a tribute to Pele, who had celebrated his 75th birthday in the same week (from a certain angle, the '+' sign did look more like a '7'), but such interpretations were undermined as Pogba persisted in marking his shirt the same way for several more games thereafter.

giornalaccio rosa dello Sport asserted that Pogba's real intention had been to change his shirt back to the No. 6 he had worn throughout his career, since 1 + 0 + 5 = 6. He had been seeing Alberto Ferrarini, a mental coach who previously worked with Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci. It was said that Ferrarini had devised this ruse to help Pogba get back to his old self.

That remains a matter of speculation. Asked about the meaning of the scrawl by Juventus's in-house TV channel, Pogba himself replied: "It's only a +5, nothing more." What we do know is that Pogba's form has improved dramatically since that slow start. And a more tangible explanation lies with Juventus's shift toward using a 4-3-3 formation, alternated with the old 4-3-1-2, a system made viable again by Hernanes's signing on the final day of the transfer window.

In either set-up, Pogba's role is clearly defined. Playing on the left of the midfield trio, he serves as what is known in Italy as a "mezz'ala" -- literally, a "half-wing". His task is no longer to roam all over the pitch but instead work in tandem with the full-back to dominate his flank, dropping back when required and marauding forward when the opportunity presents. It is a position that makes the most of his talents. The truth is that Pogba has never been a No. 10 any more than he is a "regista" to place in front of the defence, even if he does possess the technique and athleticism to adapt himself to either role. At his core, he is a box-to-box midfielder, a "trascinatore" as Lilian Thuram recently defined him: someone who can drag his whole team up and down the pitch.

There might not be another player in the world right now who does it better. Another former Juventus player, Patrick Vieira, was once considered the model for all box-to-box midfielders to follow but even he believes that he has now been surpassed. "Physically, we have the same game in terms of style and position," said Vieira this summer. "But [Pogba] is much more gifted on the ball than I was and he will also score a lot more goals than me."

Still working for Manchester City at the time, Vieira was not the only person at the club to hold Pogba in high regard. The Premier League side made enquiries as to the player's availability, only to discover that he was no more eager to move than Juventus were to sell. When the two teams were later drawn together in the Champions League group stage, City manager Manuel Pellegrini insisted he already owned a superior box-to-box player of his own. "I don't think it's fair to compare a young player who is just starting with Yaya Touré who has had a brilliant career. ... [Pogba] can improve, he has many margins and areas for improvement."

That may be so, but over the course of their two matches it was Touré who would not be flattered by the comparison. Pogba played a decisive role in both, setting up Mario Mandzukic's equaliser in a 2-1 win at the Etihad before feeding teammate Alex Sandro on what became an assist to the Croatian striker for the winning goal in the return match.

These moments were hardly the sum of his contribution, either. Pogba had been at the heart of the action throughout in Manchester, whether that meant stealing the ball away from Samir Nasri on the edge of his own area or having a goal disallowed at the far end. Likewise, his performance in Turin was packed with little moments of genius, such as a backheeled through-ball to Paulo Dybala who regrettably had strayed offside.

If we were to be critical, we might say Pogba has not delivered to this same standard in every game. But since the formation switch, his performances have been positive more often than not. How many players in a squad of Juventus' standard could lead their team in both shots and successful dribbles per game, and yet still have matches (such as the recent derby against Torino) in which they win possession back from the opposition more than any other teammate as well?

The emergence of Sandro, explosive and attack-minded enough to get forward from left-back in a way that Patrice Evra cannot at this point in his career, promises even better things ahead for the Bianconeri. If Allegri can persuade Pogba to trade a few more of those shots he is taking into lay-offs for his new teammate, they will not be easy to contain.

France, too, will watch with great interest ahead of Euro 2016. Didier Deschamps has run into some of the same challenges as Allegri in working out how to get the best from the player, but professed recently to "know full well that [Pogba] is not a No.10."

If nothing else, the France manager seems to be on the right track. And so is Pogba as he presses his claim to being the best box-to-box midfielder on the planet.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Del Piero: ‘Pogba atypical no.10’

http://www.football-italia.net/76860/del-piero-%E2%80%98pogba-atypical-no10%E2%80%99?

 
Dec 9, 2015

Alessandro Del Piero says Paul Pogba is an ‘atypical Juventus number 10’ because he isn’t ‘a complete player.’

The former Bianconeri great spoke to Sky Sport Italia’s ‘Football Night’ programme about the Champions League, the upcoming clash with Fiorentina and his memorable goal against La Viola in 1994.

“When we think of the Juventus number 10 we imagine a complete player,” he said.

“But today Pogba isn’t yet, he’s an atypical number 10. You have to give him a bit of time to grow even more.

“I don’t know if Juventus will return to the Champions League final.

“It must be said that at the moment Bayern and Barcelona are unreachable, but who knows if they have a small decline.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Cannavaro: ‘Pogba must prove himself’

http://www.football-italia.net/76964/cannavaro-%E2%80%98pogba-must-prove-himself%E2%80%99?

 
Dec 11, 2015

Fabio Cannavaro believes Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba “has yet to prove that he’s a great player”.

The Frenchman took over the famous number 10 shirt this summer, and has returned to form in recent weeks after a difficult start to the season.

“Pogba isn’t doing very well at the moment,” Cannavaro, a former Bianconeri defender, told Cadena Ser.

“This year should’ve been his consecration because it was his first without Vidal and Pirlo next to him.

“The great players are those who play 10 or 15 years at the same level. One good year doesn’t mean he’ll be the midfielder of the future.

“It’s phenomenal that Andres Iniesta has played at his level for 10 years.

“Pogba has yet to prove that he’s a great player. He has the potential but needs to learn how to withstand pressure. That’s what makes a great player.”

Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or during his playing days, and admits he was surprised to be given the prize as a defender.

“FIFA always wants to give the Ballon d’Or to a striker. To win it as a defender, you have to do everything right.

“I won the World Cup with Italy playing very well, but I was surprised it was awarded it to me.

“When I received the call from France Football [who awarded the prize before it merged with the FIFA World Player of the Year], I didn’t believe it was them.

“I never thought I’d win it. Some may see it as a good thing, others as a bad thing, but I keep the trophy in my bedroom.

“In Italy, players like Maldini, Buffon and Franco Baresi never won it either.

“To win it, you have to be lucky that the forwards didn’t do so well. If Messi and Ronaldo score 50 or 60 goals, FIFA will always give it to them.”

[Socrates 8296]

 

Paris Saint-Germain Propose
Verratti Swap Deal With Juventus

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2015/12/paris-saint-germain-propose-verratti-swap-deal-with-juventus/?

 
Dec 14, 2015

In their attempts to sign midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly willing to offer Italy star Marco Veratti to tempt the Bianconeri into selling.

The Frenchman has been linked with a move away from Turin for some time now, with Barcelona being the club reportedly leading the race to obtain his signature.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, the Ligue 1 side are willing to give the metronomic Veratti to The Old Lady in exchange for French native Pogba, who the Parisians see as the greater talent.

Juventus have held an interest in Veratti since his time at Pescara, when he was heralded as possibly being the next Andrea Pirlo for the Bianconeri.

This season in Serie A, Pogba has scored two goals and created two assists. He also has two assists in the Champions League.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Pogba thanks Pirlo for free-kick lessons

The France international netted from outside the box with a fine set-piece for Juve
in the cup, and thanked his former midfield companion for his training-pitch guidance.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2015/12/17/18439422/-?

 
Dec 17, 2015

Paul Pogba has paid tribute to the guidance of Andrea Pirlo after scoring a free-kick in Juventus' 4-0 Coppa Italia win over Torino on Wednesday.

The France international curled home a fine effort from 25 yards to cap the holders' comfortable victory over their city rivals following an earlier double from Simone Zaza and a strike from Paulo Dybala.

And Pogba has thanked former team-mate Pirlo for his set-piece advice during their time together in Turin.

"I have been training on free-kicks. I thank Andrea, as I learned so much from him," he told Rai Sport.

"It was a great game, we kept concentrating to the end and got the result we wanted.

"Now we are focused on the next match so we can end the year on a high."

Pogba showed off a T-shirt bearing a message of support for a young Juventus fan following his goal and the 22-year-old explained he had promised to score for him.

"Bryan is an 11-year-old who loves Juve, he has cancer, and I told him I'd score this goal for him and I'll always be with him," Pogba added.

[Socrates 8296]

 

Del Piero: Pogba will prove worthy of Juventus No.10

The Old Lady's former captain has tipped the midfielder as his heir,
and expects the Frenchman to fulfill his potential in the iconic shirt.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/723/serie-a/2015/12/28/18772472/-?

 
Dec 28, 2015

Alessandro Del Piero believes Paul Pogba will prove worthy of the iconic No.10 shirt at Juventus if given time.

Pogba was handed the jersey – previously worn by the likes of Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Del Piero himself – following the departure of Carlos Tevez to Boca Juniors in June.

Despite initial expectations, the 22-year-old has suffered a dip in form this season, supplying just two assists and scoring three goals in Serie A, with the Serie A champions lying fourth.

Nevertheless, Del Piero still considers the midfielder his heir, and has backed him to eventually demonstrate what is expected of a player in the famed shirt.

"I don't know [if it was right to give Pogba the No.10], but Paul is a player with a lot of talent," the former Bianconeri captain told La giornalaccio rosa dello Sport.

"If we think the No.10 should be given to a player that impresses with his style of play then he is the right man.

"The number is more than just an expression of ability, it is more important than just that.

"However, Pogba will reach that level. He must be given time."

Juve have recovered from their early season struggles to move three points behind league leaders Inter, but Del Piero believes the quality of the league has declined in recent years and he cannot foresee rapid improvements.

"The teams are competitive among themselves which is something to be proud of," he continued.

"Serie A is different from a few seasons ago. The best players no longer play there, and they won't arrive either.

"However, we still have a competitive league."

[Socrates 8296]

 

Barcelona NOT leading race for
in-demand Pogba, insists Raiola

The Juventus star's agent has played down the chances of the Frenchman leaving Turin,
though expects "the big clubs" to make moves this summer for a player who will cost €100m.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2015/12/31/18860742/-?

 
Dec 31, 2015

Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has dismissed speculation that Barcelona are the runaway favourites to sign the Juventus midfielder at the end of the season, though is expecting interest to heat up next summer.

The France star has a contract with Juve until June 2019, but clubs such as Barca, Manchester City and Chelsea are all believed to be interested in signing him.

Spanish and European champions Barca were thought to be in pole position for Pogba, but Raiola claims that is not necessarily the case and reiterated his belief that the Frenchman will cost at least €100 million (£73m).

"The big clubs will come knocking for Paul again at the end of the season. I don't know how much chance Juventus have of holding on to him," he told Tuttosport.

"Paul will make a decision based on the offers he receives and based on how he feels. He was in a similar situation last summer.

"Are Barcelona in pole position to sign him? The only team ahead of the others is Juventus. Paul has a strong connection with Juve. Paul is the type of guy who thinks things through and he thinks with his heart. He felt that it was not the right moment to leave last summer and he was right.

"He stayed put and overcame his initial difficulties, when the fans jeered him and treated him unfairly. It did not bother Paul, but I did not like it. But it will not affect Paul's decision at the end of the season.

"The fact that Paul decided to stay with Juventus last summer shows that he has invested in Juventus. And the Juventus hierarchy has also invested a lot by opting not to cash in on Paul. Paul is like a limited edition Ferrari, there are only a few who can afford him.

"I don't think €100m will be enough to sign him, but it depends on Juventus president Andrea Agnelli. He has grown as a player and his price will have grown as well."