Paul Pogba thinks he had a great season last time around, one of his best.
That’s not a view shared by all Manchester United fans and the media which covers the Premier League club. Some of the treatment towards the midfielder has certainly been harsh, but then it’s not too unkind to suggest Pogba’s belief of the level he displayed is also a little far from reality.
The pressure, and his perception of it being unfair, could be at least part of the reason he’s looking towards the exit. However, if he feels there’d be a kinder slant at Real Madrid then he’s clearly kidding himself.
Play at 100% every week and it will all be fine, drop even a little and the criticism will be just as harsh as anything he’s experienced in England, and probably worse.
The negative slants started some months ago. Fans have been polled about who they’d like to sign, and Pogba often ends up on the worse side of it.
Manchester United’s asking price is too high for the Madrid media, and even Zinedine Zidane is getting a little criticism because of his insistence over signing his compatriot.
Friday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo says Zidane insists on the signing ‘as if the immediate and short-term future of Madrid depends on him’.
They add: ‘His erratic character is reflected in his behaviour on the pitch. Not even the most studied in this area can assure what is his true position on the pitch.’
Zidane is said to believe Pogba can score 12 goals a season, presumably without penalties, and add the same number of assists.
It’s claimed Real Madrid fans believe the player ‘doesn’t deserve the economic madness’ it would take to sign him. Mundo state Florentino Perez agrees with them.
Whatever happens, Paul Pogba will find himself under huge pressure next season. Whether that’s in Manchester or Madrid.
