Jose’s Man Utd Must Discover Identity For Pogba To Shine
Paul Pogba returned to Manchester United in August 2016 as one of Europe’s best midfielders but the scary thing was that he still had the potential to become even better. Almost two years into Pogba and his manager Jose Mourinho’s respective spells at Old Trafford and eyebrows are still being raised as to why such a successful coach is yet to get the best out of the former world’s most expensive player.
Image source: @paulpogba.
Pogba flourished at Juventus under coach Antonio Conte and his successor Massimo Allegri, claiming four back-to-back Serie A titles and featuring in the 2015 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona. Success became a tradition for the French midfielder as he picked up the nickname “Pogboom” for his explosive performances, turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
This is the same Pogba we are likely to see at the World Cup for France, and he could quite easily shake the shackles of the Premier League and lead his nation to victory. So, keep your eye on Betfair’s football betting tips for this summer’s action; Pogba’s fitness could be integral to France’s chances in Russia.
When comparing Conte’s Juventus to Jose’s Red Devils, there is one striking difference – identity. The Serie A giants had a perfectly defined style of play. They were notoriously solid in defence and would press teams to reclaim possession before triggering clinical counter-attacks.
Pogba was deployed in the midfield three of a 3-5-2 formation containing marauding wing-backs, a drifting second striker and, most importantly of all, deep-lying playmaker Andrea Pirlo. The Italian magician would dictate the tempo of the game via his endless range of precise passing.
Image source: @Squawka.
This provided Pogba with the freedom to push on into pockets of space where he was at his most dangerous, safe in the knowledge that Pirlo would find him at any given moment. And with Conte continuously pushing the French midfielder to better himself week-in-week-out, he became hard-working and knew his place within a Juventus team brimming with character.
If we take a look at this year’s Premier League, it doesn’t take a football expert to recognise that three of the current top four have developed their own unique playing styles. Champions Manchester City play some of the most eye-catching passing football the league has ever seen but we know that this will revolve around duo David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, who are given the license to run games by the tough-tackling Fernandinho.
Likewise, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool possess a blistering front three and utilise the pace of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, complimented by Roberto Firmino’s link up play. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is praised regularly for his development of players and the way he incorporates them into his team’s high-pressing identity.
Whilst it might appear that these trademark approaches would make a team predictable and easier to set up against, this is far from the truth. All three of the above managers know their style and you can bet that everyone from the captain to the kit-man has it ingrained in their heads too.
Before Jose Mourinho panics regarding the halted progression of his star player, he needs to address the direction of his Manchester United team. If he can establish a playing style and an identity for what has been a team of individuals at times this season, then it will be a question of finding Paul Pogba’s role and responsibility within it that will take his game to the next level.