Paul Pogba is one of many in France’s star-studded team expected to win the trophy which eluded them five years ago. France are heavy favourites to win this summer’s European Championships and the Manchester United midfielder has explained why performances for France contrast to those at club level.
Pogba is often the subject of transfer speculation and has publicly revealed his desire for new challenges in the past, and his latest comments won’t help defuse the situation. The 28-year-old played in a two-man midfield under Didier Deschamps in the 2018 World Cup, but has found himself on the left side of a three-man midfield recently.
The change in formation is said to be of aid to France’s attackers, but has also given Pogba more freedom in midfield, rather than operating as a static defensive midfielder.
“We were already playing with three midfielders (at Juventus), in 5-3-2,” he told L’Equipe, via The Mirror. “I had the freedom, I had to be in the box, to attack. It was an obligation. We play in 4-2-3-1, also a diamond. I am a little more in the transmission, in the construction. But I have more freedom than in Manchester to enter the box, to make runs forwards.”
The United academy graduate has one year remaining on his contract and despite preliminary talks over an extension to that deal, speculation over his future remains.
The club will be aware of the tactics deployed by his agent, Mino Raiola, nine years ago when they entered into talks with the club only to blindside them and leave on a free transfer later that season.
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