Barcelona legend Rivaldo has explained why the Catalan giants should not sign Paul Pogba this summer.
Pogba, 25, was dropped from Manchester United’s starting XI towards the end of last season and it’s understood the Frenchman’s relationship with Jose Mourinho has broken down significantly in recent months. While Mourinho insists he’s ‘never been happier’ with Pogba, reports suggest the pair had a bust-up in training ahead of United’s clash with Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend.
Barcelona has been alerted to Pogba’s situation but Rivaldo, who made 235 appearances for the Nou Camp outfit, believes his former club do not need the midfielder. ‘Paul Pogba is a very good player,’ the Brazilian icon told Sport.
‘But I do not think Barcelona needs to recruit him now. The club has signed two excellent players with Arturo Vidal and Arthur. ‘I think they have a good team to start the coming season.’ Ryan Giggs believes Paul Pogba should be Manchester United captain
“I think everyone recognizes the quality Paul Pogba has and he had an excellent World Cup, so after winning that it was recognition of what he can bring to the team,’ he said in his Sky Sports column.
“From the outside, he looks like a leader but what we haven’t seen is the consistency of the likes of Bryan Robson and Roy Keane, so that extra responsibility will hopefully help him maintain his levels. ‘The captains I played under really had that consistency and would still contribute on their bad days and I’ve got no doubts that he will reach those levels of consistency for United and be a top, top player.’
Born in Lagny-sur-Marne, Pogba showed much promise as a youngster, flourishing as a member of local youth teams. He eventually joined the youth team of Ligue 1 side Le Havre, before a protracted transfer brought him to Manchester United in 2009. After beginning his senior career with Manchester United two years later, limited appearances persuaded him to depart to join Italian side Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, where he helped the club to four consecutive Serie A titles, as well as two Coppa Italia and two Supercoppa Italiana titles. During his time in Italy, Pogba further established himself as one of the most promising young players in the world, and received the Golden Boy award in 2013, followed by the Bravo Award in 2014. In 2016, Pogba was named to the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year, as well as the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI, after helping Juventus to the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final, their first in 12 years.
Pogba’s performances at Juventus allowed him to return to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record transfer fee of €105 million (£89.3 million).The fee paid for him remains the highest paid by an English club.[6] In his first season back, he won the League Cup and the Europa League.