Juventus Focus: 5 Things Paul Pogba Must Do to Take His Game Forward in 2014/15
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport recently, former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi said it was “absurd,” (h/t Goal.com) that Paul Pogba had been allowed to leave Manchester United. Looking at the performances of the Frenchman since arriving in Turin, it is hard to disagree with that sentiment, such has been his dramatic elevation to stardom.
From being a player seemingly unable to break into Sir Alex Ferguson’s first-team plans at Old Trafford, the 21-year-old has become a mainstay for both the Bianconeri and his national side. He has established a reputation as one of the finest young talents on the continent and the envy of top clubs everywhere.
However, despite L’Equipe reporting the interest of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid (h/t Forza Italian Football), there is still room for improvement in the player’s performances. Massimiliano Allegri touched upon that last week, telling Sky Italia (per Gianluca Di Marzio):
"I get mad with him a lot, because he has a lot of potential but he hasn’t fully expressed it yet. But we know that he’s 21 and so he has the time to do it. He’s an amazing player, both physically and technically: his skills make the team leap in quality.
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Over the following pages is a look at five areas in which Pogba can do just that, improvements which could make him an even more well-rounded player.
1. Stay Humble
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Perhaps the biggest hurdle to any player wishing to become truly great is their own humility, being able to remain calm as the world sings their praises. Thus far, Pogba has managed this, thanks to a combination of his high-profile team-mates' guidance and an eagerness to continue learning and improving.
Antonio Conte told reporters last year that Pogba was “humble” and noted how important that had been in the player’s “incredible” progress, per Goal.com. By continuing with that approach, the Frenchman truly can become one of the world’s finest players.
2. Work on His Passing
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One area where Pogba can certainly improve is his passing, both in terms of consistency and his overall decision-making. According to stats site WhoScored.com, his pass completion rate was 83.8 percent last term, way below that of his colleagues in the Juventus midfield.
After developing a reputation for superb goals outside the box, he has developed something of a shoot-first mentality, often overlooking better-placed team-mates. By making that extra pass, Pogba could improve his contribution to his side’s play further still.
3) Improve His Shot Selection
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That penchant for taking long-range efforts at goal has been rewarded with some stunning strikes, but there is clearly room to improve the accuracy of those shots. As the above image—courtesy of Squawka.com—highlights, Pogba found the target with just 29 of 73 attempts last term, leading to just seven goals.
By making better decisions over when and where to take those chances, he will certainly improve those figures, making him an even greater threat to opponents.
4. Shine in Europe
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In order to bring even greater accolades and attention upon himself, Pogba needs to ensure both he and Juventus shine on the biggest stages. After stumbling in the Champions League last term, a deep run in the competition is essential this season, as discussed in depth here.
5. Develop Better Understanding with Team-Mates
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After two full seasons with Juventus, Pogba has become a central figure in the starting XI for the Bianconeri. However, he has yet to foster the kind of intrinsic understanding that the greatest players seem to share between themselves.
By further developing his relationships with players such as Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, the 21-year-old can elevate his play to an even higher level.
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