The saga has dragged on for so long that it is easy to underplay its significance.
The fact that Paul Pogba is returning to Manchester United is amazing in so many ways. Even at £89m, his signing is a major coup for a side in transition. Those who dismiss the move as being purely money-motivated are the very same who laughed at the notion a few months ago.
Money always plays a part in such mammoth deals, but it is still remarkable that one of the most sought-after players on the planet, for whom many predict a future Ballon d’Or, has left a club who are competitive in the Champions League for one that didn’t even qualify for it.
Let us not fool ourselves into thinking that, all monetary factors being equal, the player would automatically choose Old Trafford over the Bernabeu or the Nou Camp. Nor should we discount the possibility that he could ultimately end up at either destination in three or four years’ time.
But that’s the challenge for United and Jose Mourinho; to build a side competitive enough at the highest level to match the player’s ability and ambition. That may sound the wrong way round, but the current Manchester United really shouldn’t have any business attracting the likes of Paul Pogba.
Even if the player only sticks around for long enough for the club regain their former standing, he will have done his job, as he did at Juventus. But the hope at United is that the prodigal son’s return won’t be a short-term one. This time, they have got to make him feel wanted and professionally fulfilled.
“[Paul Pogba] spoke to me about improving his range of passing. So, after training we would spend time pinging the ball to each other from 50 yards’ distance.
“He had stronger suits to his game than his long passing – his power, his technique at close quarters, his athleticism – but he was determined to get better at what he thought was the weaker part of his game.”
– Paul Scholes
But what are the Red Devils getting for such an obscene amount of money? Surely there are cheaper midfield options out there? It seems like a hell of a lot for a YouTube player. Anyone who describes him as such is both technically correct and something of an idiot.
Yes Pogba has the ability, audacity and technique to produce more than enough moments of breathtaking beauty to fill a compilation of any length, but that’s because he’s really fucking good, not because such a video would exaggerate his attributes in any way. He is a player who can be literally anything.
In fact, breaking down each facet of his game into silos of talent make him sound like a Weird Science experiment.
His dribbling and quick feet better many of the world’s top wingers; his imposing 6ft 3in frame puts hardened centre-halves to shame; he has the speed, strength and running power of a box-to-box powerhouse, along with the crossing ability of David Beckham.
“[I want to do] everything: defend, attack, score, give assists, tackle, win back the ball. Be a leader on the field. [I want to be] Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Messi, Iniesta – everyone. I’m serious. All players rolled into one.
“From defensive midfielder to attacking midfielder to attacker. I want to take the qualities from everyone. I’d like to get to the level where I have everything: Vieira, Deschamps, Zidane, Ronaldinho, Henry, Ronaldo. It wouldn’t be bad, that.”
– Paul Pogba
But all that is secondary to his creative game. Pogba has the vision to spot passes that those watching on television fail to see, whilst his disguised flicks, slide rule passes and elegant playmaking are a joy to behold. In terms of touch alone, he is on a level with Cantona and Berbatov – he’s that good.
Perhaps just as important are his leadership qualities. He has been trusted with huge responsibility in his young career and dealt with it manfully. Ask any Juventino how the player has risen to each challenge thrown his way and exceeded expectations. They will only have fond memories of the 23-year-old.
Even this past term, when expected to suddenly take on the mantle of talisman following the departures of Arturo Vidal, Andrea Pirlo and Carlos Tevez, he did not shirk. Nor did he cower at the prospect of wearing the number 10 shirt made famous by Omar Sivori, Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero.
The season started badly, with both team and star man finding the adjustment problematic. One goal and a single assist in the opening ten matches was a concern, but Pogba quickly rose to the challenge, and it is a testament to the Frenchman’s influence that the side’s fortunes exactly mirrored his return to form.
It is true that he is not the type of midfielder that is currently accepted as the world-class norm. He doesn’t act as the side’s metronome in the style of Xavi or Scholes. He is far more Steven Gerrard than Roy Keane, in that he provides stunning moments that disrupt the tempo rather than compose it. He is a game changer.
What United are buying for a premium fee is the world’s greatest hybrid.Â
No playmaker breaks up attacks like Pogba; no box-to-box midfielder possesses such finesse on the ball. He may not be on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale (yet), but only the Real Madrid pair boast a more frightening combination of physical and technical gifts.
The transfer saga may have been tiresome and exhausting, but it was very much worth it. In so many different ways, Pogba to United is a big fucking deal.
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