DBasia.news – After being criticized for his different performances at Manchester United, the French national team and in his past with Juventus, Paul Pogba has spoken about the factors that have made him appear in different appearances.
The spotlight on the 28-year-old player is indeed not far from performance. With the French national team Pogba can develop his creativity, maximize his potential in defensive or offensive situations.
While at Juventus in mid 2012-2016 Pogba was more productive in scoring goals because he had to play offensively. At his side at that time were Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio until Pogba developed in the right environment and guidance.
But since returning to Man United his performance has never been the same, even recently football pundit and United legend Roy Keane analyzed the difference in his performance at United and the French national team.
“There is no doubt that he is a talented player. I still want to see him contribute more, especially when he plays for Manchester United,” said Keane some time ago.
“Maybe he’s surrounded by better players and he feels more comfortable with the situation with the French national team. He plays on the left and is doing very well. I think when he was with United he might not have done what he had to do or it was too much responsibility.”
Role Difference
The position of the 2018 World Cup winner is midfielder, but the roles he plays are different. At Juventus Pogba is freed to play offensively, while at United and France he has a defensive obligation for the collective of the team.
“It’s true that at Juventus it’s different from Manchester. We played three (midfielders) in the middle in 5-3-2. I have freedom, I have to be in the box, to attack. It’s an obligation,” Pogba told L. ‘Equip.
“In Manchester, I have the freedom to get into the box, but the priority is to play, to defend.
“In the French team, we also played 4-2-3-1. I was a bit more involved in the transition, in the construction of the attack. But I had more freedom than in Manchester to get into the box, to run forward.”
“At the same time, when you have Grizou (Antoine Griezmann), Kylian (Mbappe), you don’t want to enter their space, you don’t have to.
When asked what role he likes Pogba said he prefers to play offensively, but he also underlined the importance of the collective team.
“I want to play more offensively. To score 15 goals per season, that’s what I want,” Pogba added.
“But I have to put myself at the collective game. In Manchester, like Les Bleus, the collectivity will always come before the players.”
“Frankly, I still enjoy playing a little deeper. When Patrick (Vieira) said he preferred me at Juventus, I understand, I can express myself further, more with my technique. But it will always be a collective at the top. everything,” he concluded. Code of course for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.