Pogba is just a conundrum we are yet to solve and it might be that we never do. He was playing very well in a double pivot after project restart alongside Matic and Bruno but probably doesn't get the credit he deserves for those performances because he didn't score many goals or many direct assists. He's also been good for France over the years in a similar role from what I understand. The go to argument there is that he has Kante next to him and frees up Pogba to do his thing which is fair, although I understand he has played with Rabiot too who is a different player to Kante.
He's had a horrible start to this season and I do think Ole shouldn't have played him given the fitness issues he had with Covid and no pre-season - that's not helped him at all and then of course a good portion of the media, rival fans and a large part of our fanbase just love to criticise him whether it is fair or not.
For me, we more or less have all the attributes and qualities we need in midfield but they are just oddly spread across all of our players:
Matic - technically our best DM, progressive from deep and positionally good, however, slow and immobile and can't cover the ground we need him to.
Fred - great energy and ball winner, at times looks quite good and progresses the ball well but often falls short. Not sure he is suited to DM as he is best when able to press all around the pitch
McTominay - physically very impressive and covers a lot of ground and works hard. Similar to Fred but perhaps a bit better positionally; passing is decent but again, not the high quality we need
Pogba - world class ability on the ball but intensity and defensive discipline can let him down. Can be guilty of trying to do too much when things aren't going well, rather than keep it simple.
VDB - technically very good, one and two touch player and looks like he can be trusted with defensive duties and seems to be a very intelligent player. I actually think he is probably going to be a better 8 than a 10
Bruno - just does Bruno things - elite numbers - risky passing at all times means he has to play ahead of the ball
A world class DM is probably the answer to our problems - someone who can cover a lot of ground and progress the ball well from deep. I'm still annoyed we weren't in for Partey! If we can get a top class DM we could play a 433 with two 8s who could be 2 from Pogba, Bruno and VDB or failing that, it will help our 4231 formation or indeed if playing a diamond. If Pogba ultimately wants to go, we have some recruiting to do / progressing some of the academy players coming through but VDB might make more sense as a signing. The 433 might bring a bit more stability to our performances and seems to be the in vogue system with its success obvious at City and Liverpool. Pogba ultimately played his best football for Juventus as the left side of a 3 and if we want to get the best out of him then I believe signing a new DM is critical. I suspect it will be too late though and Pogba may end up moving on before we do, however, regardless of Pogba, we need to sign that DM!
He's had a horrible start to this season and I do think Ole shouldn't have played him given the fitness issues he had with Covid and no pre-season - that's not helped him at all and then of course a good portion of the media, rival fans and a large part of our fanbase just love to criticise him whether it is fair or not.
For me, we more or less have all the attributes and qualities we need in midfield but they are just oddly spread across all of our players:
Matic - technically our best DM, progressive from deep and positionally good, however, slow and immobile and can't cover the ground we need him to.
Fred - great energy and ball winner, at times looks quite good and progresses the ball well but often falls short. Not sure he is suited to DM as he is best when able to press all around the pitch
McTominay - physically very impressive and covers a lot of ground and works hard. Similar to Fred but perhaps a bit better positionally; passing is decent but again, not the high quality we need
Pogba - world class ability on the ball but intensity and defensive discipline can let him down. Can be guilty of trying to do too much when things aren't going well, rather than keep it simple.
VDB - technically very good, one and two touch player and looks like he can be trusted with defensive duties and seems to be a very intelligent player. I actually think he is probably going to be a better 8 than a 10
Bruno - just does Bruno things - elite numbers - risky passing at all times means he has to play ahead of the ball
A world class DM is probably the answer to our problems - someone who can cover a lot of ground and progress the ball well from deep. I'm still annoyed we weren't in for Partey! If we can get a top class DM we could play a 433 with two 8s who could be 2 from Pogba, Bruno and VDB or failing that, it will help our 4231 formation or indeed if playing a diamond. If Pogba ultimately wants to go, we have some recruiting to do / progressing some of the academy players coming through but VDB might make more sense as a signing. The 433 might bring a bit more stability to our performances and seems to be the in vogue system with its success obvious at City and Liverpool. Pogba ultimately played his best football for Juventus as the left side of a 3 and if we want to get the best out of him then I believe signing a new DM is critical. I suspect it will be too late though and Pogba may end up moving on before we do, however, regardless of Pogba, we need to sign that DM!
