There’s a couple of reports coming from Spain on Monday which surely won’t be welcomed in the Paul Pogba household.
The midfielder flirted with a move to Real Madrid in the summer, and given how Manchester United’s season has gone so far, he’s probably not dropped that desire completely.
Zinedine Zidane very much wanted the French midfielder on his team, feeling Pogba would be able to solve many of the problems Madrid were facing.
The manager almost seemed in a sulk, making it very clear there was a gap in his selection and that the failure to sign Pogba was a serious one.
Manchester United were completely set against a sale, and it didn’t appear like Florentino Perez was ready to throw everything he could at the potential transfer.
The season started, Real Madrid had some stutters, and eyes turned to the January window and beyond. A real attempt for Pogba would have to be made, or for an alternative like Christian Eriksen.
Both Marca and AS now report that Valverde can be Zidane’s Pogba. Fulfilling the role the manager wanted, and therefore making signing the Manchester United star less necessary.
Valverde’s performance was so good that AS say his style was reminiscent of Steven Gerrard, he was all action and everywhere he needed to be.
The player himself is quoted as saying: “I have a physique to press and whenever I can I will do it, until my legs burst.”
It’s just one game, but if he keeps this up then it’s got to be unlikely Perez will break the bank for Pogba.
