Why Juventus' Paul Pogba Is the Complete Modern Midfielder
There is little doubt that Paul Pogba has become one of World football’s most in-demand players. Three seasons with Juventus have seen the Frenchman rapidly develop, turning in numerous high-quality performances as he begins to deliver on his huge potential.
His name is constantly in the news, with talk of him becoming the game’s first €100 million-plus player should he choose to leave the Italian giants. This week, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported on a supposed bidding war between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City (h/t Football Italia), yet the Bianconeri remain unmoved by such talk.
"There have been no official bids or interest for him,” director general Beppe Marotta told TuttoJuve.com (h/t Forza Italian Football) just a few days ago. “I am convinced that he wants to remain with Juventus.”
The reason for the continued chatter—and indeed the continually increasing price tag—is quite simple: Paul Pogba has evolved into the complete modern midfielder.
It was something that his team-mates in Turin discovered instantly, quickly recognising his talent following his arrival at the club in July 2012. "After just a few training sessions we saw how good he was,” Gigi Buffon told Richard Tanner of the Express last month. "I have never seen a player who is so good at his age, he is so strong, so technically gifted, has exceptional all-round play."
The Juventus captain—who has played alongside some of the greatest players of all time—is well-placed to pass such a judgment, and Pogba himself was smart enough to take notes from those around him. Indeed, it must be remembered that when he joined the Bianconeri, they had just completed an undefeated season, and the youngster was far from guaranteed a place in the side; that he has earned one is testament to the effort he has shown each and every day.
Standing 6’2” (1.88m) tall and powerfully built, Pogba was clearly blessed with incredible physical gifts, and he has often been likened to compatriot Patrick Vieira because of them. “Compared to me, Pogba is more attacking, whereas I was more defensively-minded,” the World Cup winner told France Football and Tuttosport last year (h/t Football Italia).
Indeed, while there are similarities between the two—most notably the speed at which they cover ground—there is no escaping the vast differences. To underline that, Pogba has netted 20 league goals for Juventus in just three years, trailing Vieira’s tally for his decade at Arsenal by just seven.
Long-distance strikes have become something of a specialty, the 22-year-old netting with increasing regularity and incredible power. However, while each of these trademark strikes has come to be called a “Pog-Boom,” there is so much more to his game than his ability to find the back of the net.
The younger man may not be throwing himself into fights with Roy Keane, but he works hard defensively, never neglecting his duties at that end of the pitch. The tactical discipline for which Italy is famous has clearly seen Pogba add awareness to his game, and he can be seen constantly shuffling back and forth to protect the defence behind him.
Beyond the mental, physical and goalscoring capabilities he has displayed, Pogba also possesses an incredible first touch, often using it to leave defenders looking incredibly foolish. He has become adept at beating his man, showing both skill and flair to render a steady stream of opponents trailing in his wake.
He has also worked to improve his distribution of the ball, with Paul Scholes revealing in a recent column for the Independent that he helped Pogba with this facet of his game during their time together at Old Trafford:
"He spoke to me about improving his range of passing. So, after training we would spend time pinging the ball to each other from 50 yards’ distance. He had stronger suits to his game than his long passing – his power, his technique at close quarters, his athleticism – but he was determined to get better at what he thought was the weaker part of his game.
"
The results have earned the praise of none other than Andrea Pirlo, and it perhaps seems fitting to let the bearded genius have the final word on Paul Pogba's all-round greatness. “He has it all,” the Italy legend said recently, as reported by Amy Lawrence of the Guardian. “Physique, technique and an eye for goal. He is perfect. He can mark an era.”
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
