Paul Pogba needs to step up his game, and become the leader that France needs at this World Cup, says national team manager Didier Deschamps. The France boss also said that Pogba, who previously declared his very high ambitions for himself at this tournament publicly, is indispensable to Les Bleus.
Deschamps made these comments just one day after sticking up for his polarizing and high profile midfielder. Pogba was heckled by France supporters during the national side’s 3-1 World Cup warm-up exhibition victory over Italy in Nice this weekend, but he was also publicly backed by his teammates Antoine Griezmann and Corentin Tolisso.
It was far from Pogba’s best outing on the pitch, but he wasn’t the only one who struggled in this outing. Nevertheless, Deschamps backs the Manchester United man to become the marquee player he certainly has the potential to be.
“Not everything was successful, but he helped the team to be well organized,” Deschamps said in an interview with Telefoot.
“I don’t question Paul’s potential. If I called him up, it’s because he’s indispensable for me. I know what he is capable of. He has to raise his level of play. I have confidence in him, as I do in my other players.”
Deschamps isn’t the only member of the France program who is urging Pogba to raise his level and be a leader. Just two days ago, Tottenham Hotspur and France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris issued a warning to Pogba, to be aware of his expectations and to be a leader by example.
France is among the favorites to win the World Cup this month, but it’s quite clear that they can only go as far as Pogba will lead them, and they need him to be his best if they are to realize their tremendous potential.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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