Chelsea Transfer News: Paul Pogba Downplaying Possible Move Not a Blow for Blues

Paul Pogba may have poured cold water on a potential transfer to England. But that needn't be read as bad news by Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Pogba, the jewel of an outrageously talented Juventus midfield, has cooled talk of a summer move to England's top flight, per Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (h/t Daily Star reporter Chisanga Malata):

"

I think I need to focus on just my football because these issues [regarding my future] can drive you crazy.

If you want to know something about my future, ask my agent. I’m only focused on my game.

I only think of winning the Scudetto and that if I want to be a better player, I have to work hard every day.

"

Malata describes Pogba's declaration of focusing on football as a "hammer blow" for Chelsea and Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United. But the Blues are actually the only member of that trio who aren't in urgent need of a player of Pogba's quality.

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Manager Jose Mourinho's squad is already well-equipped with the right blend of brawn, brains and technique in midfield. Brazilian workhorse Ramires brings the energy, while Serbian powerhouse Nemanja Matic is equally adept at breaking up play as he is driving his team forward.

Plenty of flair and invention are provided by Spanish pass-master Cesc Fabregas and South American goal-getter Oscar. It's difficult to see exactly where Pogba would fit in among this embarrassment of riches.

Of course, the 21-year-old France international is a rare complete midfielder in the modern game. While different options in the Chelsea squad offer qualities that make up an impressive whole, they don't have a player who offers physicality and flair the way Pogba can. Few teams do.

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Still, Mourinho's priorities ought to lie elsewhere once the summer transfer market opens. Specifically, he should focus on reinforcing a surprisingly fragile defence.

Veteran skipper John Terry looks increasingly vulnerable, while Gary Cahill has always been shakier than his reputation suggests. Mourinho still doesn't appear to fully trust talented young French centre-back Kurt Zouma.

That's strange considering the Chelsea chief has dubbed Zouma one of the two "best two young central defenders in the world," per Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.

The other precocious defender Mourinho was referring to is his ex-Real Madrid prodigy, Raphael Varane. He's recently been linked with a £39.4 million bid for the 21-year-old, according to Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson).

That's a better use of Chelsea's resources than bidding for Pogba, who's reportedly likely to cost as much as €100 million, according to his agent, Mino Raiola, per the London Evening Standard.

Chelsea's midfield may have been given the runaround as Paris Saint-Germain knocked the club out of the UEFA Champions League on away goals, per Sky Sports reporter Tom McKeown. But that was merely an anomaly, one borne more from approach than talent from a usually dominant group.

Chelsea don't need Pogba. Mourinho's men need defensive help more.