Every time there is a priciest transfer in soccer, every eye starts staring over the performance of such a highly priced player expecting he would be outstanding in his first season itself. But it is also true that there could never be such a performance from anyone no matter what the price tag he is carrying with him and experts defend it saying anyone needs time to settle down in a new environment.
Manchester United’s £89.3 million Paul Pogba is one such player who could not meet the expectations United fans had raised from him after his high profile transfer from Juventus last summer and if we look at his performance since then he could only score four goals and recorded three assists in 20 Premier League appearances which is way too average from a player of his class. Specifically talking about Sunday game where he gave away a penalty for handball as United drew 1-1 with rivals Liverpool, it looks like his confidence level is also down in the pressing atmosphere he is playing in premiere league.
Now, Pogba has defended his performance in the season so far saying no price tag can guarantee goals, he explains what he feels playing for United and what the difference he has until pointed out in both Serie A and English Premiere League, he said, “I love playing. I feel good everywhere. With everything that happened, the transfer, changing club, returning to Manchester, people want me to score, make a difference in games, because they say that at that price, a player must score, provide assists.
“My role as a midfielder is not to score. I can make a difference in games, but I have a lot of work. Defensive work, dictate play. It’s also a question of my abilities. I can also make the difference in winning back possession, in the team’s play … I have to work for the team rather than think about myself.”
“No, I’ve always worked in training. With the team, it’s going much better. I think we have built understanding with each other. We win once, we win twice, we change one, two players, the matches keep coming, but we’re in better form. I’m in a lot better shape, too, because I didn’t have a preseason like everyone else, I arrived later. I don’t think there was a moment where everything just clicked. It just came with time.”
Paul Pogba: Vlad1988 / Shutterstock, Inc.