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Is not the same. It’s never the same when Paul Pogba is away. Everyone in the camp in France will tell you.
After 16 months away from the French team due to his long injury, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and because he himself contracted CODID-19 in September, the Manchester United midfielder returns this month; And boy can you see the difference, hear the difference and feel the difference Too long had passed and both Pogba and France really needed a meeting.
Pickaxe – “El pico”, as Pogba is known by the nickname given to him by Juventus fans, is undoubtedly the head of the French team. He is the leader, the joker, the guide, but also a captain and a soldier who leads by example. When it is not there, there is a hole that no one can really fill. When he’s there, like in the last 10 days, there is a very special energy and atmosphere within the team.
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Pogba is a breath of fresh air for France; The reverse is also very true, as France has always been a breath of fresh air for Pogba when things are not going very well with his club.
At the heart of his war with José Mourinho, returning home in March 2018 for the games against Colombia and Russia was a huge boost. After seeing his friends again, after a long talk with Didier Deschamps, Pogba returned to England with a more positive mindset and the goal of finishing the season on top, which he did. He earned his place in United’s starting eleven, played well and then played a decisive role in The Blues‘World Cup triumph in Russia that summer.
This time, it is United’s bad start to the season and criticism of their level, especially in the humiliating 6-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur that they wanted to leave behind.
So he got his room back at Clairefontaine; Eduardo Camavinga borrowed it in September, but the boss got it back. It is the largest room, and every night it is full of people to listen to music, play video games or discuss anything.
Pogba also regained his place in the dressing room alongside … Antoine Griezmann.
The couple have picked up their bromance where they left off 16 months earlier. They have spent so much time together that it is unreal. Pogba traveled to Croatia with Kurt Zouma on the plane on Tuesday, so they could play Ludo, but the rest of the time he is with Grizou.
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Pogba was the best player on the field in the second half of the goalless draw with Portugal on Sunday, when Deschamps was delighted to see him in that kind of form.
The head coach knows how tough the past year has been for the midfielder. He often phoned Pogba during the injury; saw the player’s disappointing start to the season with United, and Pogba struggling at times; listened to criticism. Perhaps that is why Deschamps was even closer to Pogba during this international window. “DD” wanted “PP” to really feel at home and to take advantage of the 10 days to kick off his season.
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“I thought he was good against Portugal, even better in the second half, in terms of his pace, his size,” Deschamps said after the match.
“I got a good Paul back. He’s not always here to score or give assists. He’s very active, and technically he was good too.”
Pogba was certainly happy with his performance, especially after the break, as Deschamps noted.
The midfielder has worked hard during this international break to be more ready and fit when he returns to Manchester. He played a lot, with three games in seven days: 30 minutes in the 7-1 win over Ukraine; 90 three days later against Portugal; and will start again in the UEFA Nations League game against Croatia in Zagreb on Wednesday, when he will win his 72nd international at just 27 years old. He is on track to surpass Lilian Thuram as France’s player with the most caps; Thuram won 142 international matches, but was only 46 at Pogba’s current age.
When Pogba returns to Manchester on Thursday, United will receive a refreshed and revitalized player, which is exactly the impact the club hoped to see on his return to France.
The club, for its part, cannot be upset with Pogba for mentioning (again) that his dream is to one day play for Real Madrid.
First, he’s waiting for a sign from Ed Woodward and the club; loves United, Old Trafford and his life in Manchester.
But his line on Zinedine Zidane and Madrid is also a good sign, because it is when he is happy that he gives him the best answers. And the best performances.
United hope you are happy, ready and looking forward to taking on Newcastle United on Saturday.
Source: espn.co.uk
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