Paul Pogba Told to Improve by Didier Deschamps

France boss Didier Deschamps has warned midfielder Paul Pogba that he needs to make improvements to his game. 

The candid assessment of the Manchester United man came after a 4-1 win for Les Bleus over Bulgaria on Friday evening, with Pogba deployed in a deeper midfield role.

The ex-Juventus star turned in an inconsistent display, and despite securing a comfortable win, Deschamps wasn’t entirely pleased with the 23-year-old’s contribution.

“He can and must do better,” the France manager said of the midfielder, per Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror. “When he has a defensive role like that, that's not the best for him. This is more a construction part, protection as compared to the central hinge. He has everything to do it. He did some good things, some others less good.”

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The visitors took a shock lead in the contest in Paris, before France came roaring back with a brace from Kevin Gameiro and a goal apiece from Antoine Griezmann and Dimitri Payet.

Pogba is in a spell of transition in his career, having rejoined Manchester United in the summer, costing £89 million to become the most expensive player in the history of the game. So far, he’s turned in a couple of good performances for the Red Devils domestically, although he has struggled to assert himself on matches consistently.

Now his performances are being analysed through the lens of international football. As we can see, courtesy of Sport Witness, L’Equipe took the time to meticulously review Pogba’s recent effort:

His world-record summer transfer meant there was always going to be added scrutiny accompanying Pogba. Playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and a national team with a large fanbase, every misplaced pass, heavy touch and bad decision sets social media abuzz with criticism.

There’s still so much for Pogba to learn, though. While his fee may dictate he’s the finished article, he’s not just yet. At Juventus, he excelled playing alongside the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira in midfield; he doesn’t have that type of quality in support at club level or with the national team.

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There were signs last term that Pogba was ready to grab more responsibility, and that’s something that seems to have been quickly thrust upon him in the aftermath of his move. For United, he’s trying his utmost, per Squawka Football:

At international level, that will come, too. Pogba may have struggled in an unfamiliar role and attracted criticism from the France manager, but both experiences will be positive for the development of a footballer who's still developing.

Deschamps, a masterful defensive midfielder during his playing days, seems to have recognised the potential for something more in the 23-year-old, and taking this type of advice on board would only serve to make him a more balanced footballer.