Paul Pogba Discusses Juventus Future Following Rumours of Chelsea, PSG Interest

Paul Pogba has revealed he had “no motive” to leave Juventus in the previous transfer window despite strong reported interest from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. 

The Frenchman has matured into one of Europe’s finest midfielders in Turin and has insisted he could remain with the Italian champions for a while yet. “Why would I not stay? I didn't have any motive to go. It wasn't the right time," he said, per Hamish Mackay of the Daily Mirror. “It was never clear that I would leave and there's no reason I can't continue here for longer. Let's see.”

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Chelsea were linked with a big-money offer for the 22-year-old late in the transfer window, per Tony Banks of the Daily Express, while the Parisians were also said to have made a bid, reported by Mackay.

But Juventus looks an ideal club for Pogba to continue developing, especially given the summer of seismic changes that took place on the back of their double-winning season. Indeed, it means Pogba, now the club’s No. 10, has increased responsibility following the departure of the shirt’s previous incumbent, Carlos Tevez, as well as Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo.

As we can see here, courtesy of OptaPaolo, the youngster is a player who is already happy to take control of the ball and affect matches:

As such, it’s no surprise Juve want to keep hold of him. According to the Bianconeri’s director general, Giuseppe Marotta, the club will hold out for a massive fee if they are to eventually sell Pogba, per Mackay’s piece:

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As we want to win, we have decided to keep hold of a player as important as Pogba, although we have had offers from some very important clubs.

In the future he could be worth more than €100m. We've lost the likes of Pirlo, Tevez and Vidal, three irreplaceable players, against our will and replacing them isn't easy. Directors, managers and players come and go, but clubs, victories and their successes to come remain.

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Luca Bruno/Associated Press

In among discussions about Pogba’s future, it is often forgotten just how big a club Juventus is. 

The Italian giants may not be quite as flush as sides such as Chelsea, PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City, but with 31 Italian league titles won in total, they’re a team with massive historical significance and endearing pageantry. Their run to last season’s Champions League final suggested they’re as good as any current side in Europe too.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Pogba will know this after being with the club since 2012, and he seems like a level-headed lad aware there is still much for him to learn despite his obvious talent. How to take a grasp of games for Juve without Pirlo and Vidal is one, as football analyst Jack Rathborn touched upon:

Other illustrious clubs will continue to sniff around the player, and it’d be no surprise if Pogba did have his head turned by a lucrative offer, but it’s encouraging to hear the midfielder insist he could remain in Turin. After all, Juventus took a chance on Pogba when he left Manchester United and have helped facilitate his development from an erratic player into a footballing force of nature.

This season could be one of the most important of Pogba’s career given the added significance he’ll have in the starting XI. While he doesn’t seem quite at ease with the extra pressures yet, it’s something the youngster must become accustomed with if he’s to go to the summit of the sport. His raw ability certainly won't hold him back.