Following the conclusion of the group stages at Euro 2020, one could argue that Paul Pogba has been France’s top performer at the tournament.
The Frenchman is putting in displays eerily reminiscent from his country’s 2018 World Cup triumph, when the Manchester United midfielder starred in Russia on the way to glory.
Playing in a pivot role for France, operating alongside N’Golo Kante, Pogba has thrived with the freedom and space afforded to him by his opponents.
For the exception of Hungary’s resilient low-block defence, the midfielder has been able to spring passes from left to right and dictate the game from the heart of the midfield during the group-stages.
The midfielder completed 97% of his passes against Portugal according to Wyscout , including five long passes in France’s final group-stage game of the tournament.
One of his penetrative defence-splitting passes created the chance for Karim Benzema to score France’s 2nd goal of the game. Meanwhile another lofted ball into the box forced Portugal to concede a penalty as Nelson Semedo wrestled Kylian Mbappe to the ground.
United fans and pundits revelled in the aftermath of the game. Many saw the performance as proof of Pogba’s undoubted world-class potential while others rued it as proof of his ‘waste’ at Old Trafford. But the issue is more nuanced.
On closer inspection of Pogba’s performance against Portugal, it is clear the Frenchman was afforded the time and space to control the game from deep.
Portugal’s midfield applied minimal pressure and stood off the Frenchman while the defence maintained a high line, playing right into Pogba’s hands. The presence of Kante doesn’t hurt, of course.
Such conditions are not present in the Premier League, where the pressing is ratcheted up while you’re also more likely to come up against highly organised low blocks from weaker teams ready to snuff out Hollywood passes.
At United, Pogba has to play further up the field in order to get the best out of him and find the space where he can play his game. However, that also blunts one of his best traits – those sumptuous long passes forward – which are making his game unstoppable in this tournament.
Without a Kante beside him, United’s lack of top quality holding midfielders have also prohibited Pogba properly really kicking on in a dominant manner, forcing him to play in a more conservative manner.
If United do not rectify this in the summer, Pogba will likely continue in the same stop-start form he has endured in his career at Old Trafford so far.
What have you made of Paul Pogba’s performances at Euro 2020? How do you think United can bring the best out of him? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.