round thoughts | on the beautiful game

The transfer of 19 year old French holding midfielder, Paul Pogba, from Manchester United to Juventus is a very strange one and might turn out to be a real coup by the Italian giants.

The question now is: How did Manchester United let go of a player Alex Ferguson described as “a great talent with a tremendous physique for a young boy”?

First of all, Pogba was supposed to get first team opportunities this season because of Manchester United’s depleted midfield . He probably would have gotten more playing time in the Premier League than than what he will get at Juventus – who arguably have more depth and quality in the midfield than Manchester United.

Is it money then? Well, Juve did grant Pogba an annual salary of €1m  but for sure, a few impressive performances in red would have secured “The Next Patrick Vieira ” a similar, if not a higher, contract.

On top of that, why would anybody like Pogba leave the richest and best league in the world for a “step down” to Serie A?

Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is understood to have agreed a €2m commission on the deal – which might explain why Pogba went to a new team but for sure, United, could have paid that to keep the player, who according to his new teammate Claudio Marchisio, will be “a great player”.

Could it be that United, with all their financial interests and need to buy BIG players to please lure investors, took their eyes off the ball in Pogba’s case? Could it be that Pogba’s loss is the first in many losses of low profile but important players?

Only Time & Wall street will tell.