France CT Didier Deschamps defends Paul Pogba, but admits the Juventus man must offer more defensively.
The midfielder has been criticised for his early form this season, with many suggesting he is struggling under the pressure of the Bianconeri’s famous number 10 shirt.
“The number was free, and I don’t know who made the decision,” Deschamps said in an interview with Tuttosport.
France CT Didier Deschamps defends Paul Pogba, but admits the Juventus man must offer more defensively.
The midfielder has been criticised for his early form this season, with many suggesting he is struggling under the pressure of the Bianconeri’s famous number 10 shirt.
“The number was free, and I don’t know who made the decision,” Deschamps said in an interview with Tuttosport.
“The important thing is for Paul not to change his game. He’s a great player, he’s young and off the field the people, the young lads, like him for the way he dresses, the look the hair…
“They talk about it, for better or for worse. He’s a great player, if he does well on the pitch he can do other things. The only truth is on the pitch.
“I know he’s not a number 10, not a second striker, and I always leave him the freedom to go forward [with France], but a midfielder has to do defensive work.
“Maybe it’s not what he likes most, but it’s important for the team.
“His start to the season? You can’t always be at 100 per cent. Juve lost three important players this summer [Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez].
“Other quality players came in, but you can’t ask them to do the same thing as team which has been playing together for two or three years.”
Deschamps also admitted that Pogba is likely to leave Turin one day, but insists he had no bearing on his decision to stay this summer.
“You people have him changing teams every day, he could have changed last summer, but it never got started. I’ve also heard that it was down to me, but no, it was his personal choice.
“He’ll surely leave one day, at a certain point, but I don’t know when.
“A great player can play where he wants, Italy, Spain, England…”