Paul Pogba made his way back to the Theatre of Dreams for a world record fee of £89m. He has played 360 minutes, scored 0, assisted 0, 81.5 per cent successful pass rate and 1.1 ariel duels won.
Manchester United splashed out the cash for Pogba in the biggest football transfer fee ever completed. A centre defensive midfielder controls a lot of the game, they’re controllers and distributors.
Paul has received a lot of criticism in terms of his first few games back at United. Some Red Devils fans are saying ‘missing: Paul Pogba, yet to be seen on the pitch’ or things along those lines.
It is harsh for a player with the highest of expectations on his shoulders still settling back into life in Manchester.
The main concern was his ridiculous price tag. No denying that Paul Pogba is a world-class player and transfer fees are already out of this world, but this was another level.
His expectations have to be high as he has to prove that he is worthy of the prestigious price tag. Time will tell. One player gaining a lot of attention recently is Etienne Capoue, a defensive midfielder for Watford.
Capoue has played 436 minutes, scored four goals, assisted one and has a 80.1 per cent successful pass rate.
Many sports news platforms have been making a mockery and having a laugh comparing the stats between Pogba and Capoue, and their price tags. Capoue cost in the mid £6m region.
In a sense they’re not wrong. Manchester United do possess more talented players that can support a player such as Pogba in showing off that his price tag is worthy. He is yet to do so.
Granit Xhaka is another player who is not gaining as much attention as others, however has turned heads after a stunner in the previous round over Arsenal’s 4-1 win against Hull City. In all 390 minutes played, one goal scored, 88.1 per cent successful pass rate and 3.3 ariel duels won.
Xhaka, who seems to be performing slightly better than Pogba also came at a price tag about one third of what Paul Pogba cost. Xhaka has always been a great defensive midfielder with excellent passing capabilities. Not a dream start to his first Premier League season, but certainly not a bad one at that. Let’s see how he goes.
I personally believe Pogba needs time to adjust to Premier League football. As we all know it is the most exciting and most challenging league in the world. The central midfield role is a huge responsibility in terms of gameplay, so let’s see who stands out in the rounds to come.
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