#360view: Pogba’s progress blunted by weight of expectation

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  • Battling: Paul Pogba.

    Overhyped, overpriced and overrated, that’s the growing consensus when it comes to scrutinising France poster boy Paul Pogba.

    While it may seem somewhat brutal, and in equal measure impetuous, given it’s an opinion largely canvassed during the four Euro 2016 games he’s featured in, it’s a topic that is certainly worthy of discussion.

    Like it or not, major tournaments are when the very best are expected to deliver, and so far, the Juventus golden boy has fallen decidedly flat.

    Never has that been more evident than in the 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland. His clumsy challenge on Shane Long in the second minute allowed the Irish to take the lead and he did little to remedy the error with his blushes spared by Antoine Griezmann’s double.

    Pogba’s performance was tremendously uneven, as it was against Romania and Albania in the group stages, and more troubling, as has been the case in the big games for Juve.

    It prompted Gary Lineker to ask: “Is Pogba the world’s most overrated player? Got attributes and likes a trick but doesn’t score many, doesn’t create much and not great defensively. Still young though.”

    Now, the screaming and shouting across social media is hardly the ideal backdrop for a measured discussion with snap judgments already being made, but regardless, there is some semblance of truth to the matter.

    Yes, it is easily forgotten Pogba is just 23 years old and the oppressive expectations looming over him mean we neglect that fact he is still a young man learning his trade. After all, when was the last time a 23-year-old successfully shouldered the burden of leading a host nation at a major tournament? But, even taking that all into consideration, it’s impossible to ignore the concern around his progress.

    Pogba is comfortably the hottest property on the market after another prosperous season in Turin with his price surging north of €100million (Dh405m).

    The debate over him comes in the context of a potential switch this summer with the cash-rich elite, namely Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid, said to be interested. Forking out a world-record fee will of course mean they expect more than just potential to arrive on their doorstep. And that’s the risk.

    When the pressure has been placed on his shoulders, particularly with Les Bleus, Pogba has emerged timid, a far cry from the rampaging phenom at Juve. His mental fortitude is already in question, add a record fee to the equation and the maths just don’t add up.

    Many will rightly point to his bulking trophy cabinet as reason to eradicate any fears. However, you only have to look at one award in particular, the Golden Boy trophy, and its list of recipients to spot more concern. Pogba is in danger of falling into the same trap as another precocious talent-rich youngster who once lit up Serie A with go-faster stripes etched into his hair: Mario Balotelli.

    Their skills and influence have often been condensed into a single short clip and the hype amplified around those seconds of footage. It’s no shock then that these same clips are being used to counter this very argument. Yet, watching Pogba closely, as he demonstrated time after time against the Irish, he has a tendency to squander possession and is often caught out of position.

    Indeed, no player has had more rogue touches (2.5 per game) or has been dispossessed (2.8 per game) as much as Pogba at these Euros for France. His tricks mask the sloppy passes and trappings and the flashes of brilliance last as long as his hair styles.

    The deeper France go in this tournament, the stronger the magnification is on him. That’s a worrying prospect.

    Is he overrated? It’s up for discussion. Overhyped? It’s certainly time to pump the brakes but overpriced? Definitely.

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