round thoughts | on the beautiful game

Pogba. The man

The last time we wrote about Juventus youngster Paul Pogba was not so long ago. So why bring this up again and waste your time? Well, after his first full match in the black and white uniform against Chievo, the 19 year old Frenchman is no longer a prospect. He is the real thing.

Pogba already looks like a direct replacement for Italian midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo. It’s quite an achievement for a player at his tender age and only after two months of acclimation to a tough environment like Juve’s (with a very demanding coach).

Against the Verona side, Pirlo got a deserved rest and Pogba entered his mentor’s shoes with determination, grit and coolness which helped leading the strong Bianconeri to a smooth 2-0 victory.

Playing as an anchor and playmaker in front of a defensive trio, Pogba’s positioning and reading of the game were a joy to behold.

His passing was high level (85% success rate), his tackles were strong and well timed (won 8 out of 11) and his aerial ability (won 4 out of the 6 aerial battles) brings to the table another dimension that Pirlo lacks.

Chievo’s manager Mimmo di Carlo couldn’t stay indifferent in his post-match interview: “He’s an ideal replacement for Pirlo. He’s young but has an assured future. I like him a lot”.

Pogba seems like a confident young lad and I won’t be surprised if he is completely sure that he’s on the same level, if not better, than world-class teammates Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and even Pirlo.

This boy has no time to waste on adolescence;  he wants it all and he wants it now.