Paul Pogba arrived at this summer’s World Cup with plenty to prove.

He had a bit of a mixed season at Manchester United. He started the campaign with a bang, got injured, struggled to find form before starting to find his feet again just before the domestic club season ended.

Questions about his temperament and his ability to show up for big games still surrounded the flamboyant French midfielder. People would say that he stood out more due to his whacky hairstyles and his choreographed celebrations rather than his footballing ability on the field.

He’s been accused of not being tactically clever, disciplined or mature enough when performing for Man United last year.

Yet that’s not been the case in Russia this summer.

When France have needed a leader, Pogba (like Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane and Oliver Giroud) has been one of the stars to step up.

Alongside N’Golo Kante, Paul has shone both defensively as well as in attacking positions. He’s been smart to hold off and make the right runs at the right times. When his nation has needed to keep the ball, Pogba has found the right pass or held the ball up at the corner flag. Only Kante has won the ball back more in this tournament and he’s played a game more.

Paul always seems to be one of the fittest players on the park come the end of the game, having the legs come the 80th minute and beyond is so vital to the team!

His forward thinking has helped create goals, whether it’s through his runs or his decisive passing.

In a lot of ways the dynamic midfielder has kept things simple and that’s seen his performances become more consistent. He seems determined to stick to his role and do a job for the French national team.

Against Belgium in the semi-final, Pogba managed to make three tackles, he won three aerial duels and had  a 90% passing success rate. It seemed like the Belgian side had started Marouane Fellaini as a player to spoil his Man United teammate’s style and rhythm, yet it was the big man who was left disappointed as he couldn’t snuff Pogba out.

In the face of adversity, even some in France have doubted Paul Pogba’s ability in the big encounters, the Les Bleus number six has showed a desire to help France get to this World Cup final.

Plaudits rightly fall to the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Kyllian Mbappe, who’ve also been sensational, but for me it’s Pogba that makes France tick.

His Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has come out and praised his midfielder:

“I think a very good performance by Pogba,”

“Pogba was mature, he played with maturity when he had to, to hold position and keep control of the play he did.”

Jose needs to get the best out of Paul Pogba and to do it on a regular basis at Old Trafford.

First and foremost, the twenty-five year old has the chance to help France win only their second World Cup in Moscow this Sunday and he’s showing that he’s very capable of doing just that!

Posted on July 11th, 2018 by scott
Filed under: Article, World Cup