France will be one of the top contenders to win the Euro 2020 competition this July. The 2018 World Cup winners have a large number of world-class stars, and their versatility has undoubtedly increased in the years since their victory in 2018. Since winning the most prestigious silverware in professional football, the French have managed to dominate European football.
Due to injury, France’s midfield players have had a hit-or-miss season in 2020/21, but as the World Cup demonstrated, Les Bleus are a far better team when Paul Pogba is on the pitch. N’Golo Kanté is a genius, but considering the coach’s defensive nature, there will always be others who can match his abilities.
WHY IS POGBA CRUCIAL FOR FRANCE?
Pogba made his debut for France at the senior level in 2013, immediately after lifting the Under 20 World Cup, and has since managed to shine brightly for his country. Didier Deschamps took Pogba to the 2014 World Cup, where he netted a goal and created a beautiful goal for Karim Benzema. He also dazzled two years later at Euro 2016, where his results aided France’s progress to the final.
Pogba’s best United results have been in a more advanced role. As a result, he has been able to present United with beautiful passes and accelerating drives in the final third while limiting the consequences of being caught in possession
He has managed to score 10 goals for his country but no one in France can build with the sort of grand influence Paul Pogba manages to bring to the table. He is also a team leader and a team man and the speech he gave just before his team lifted that trophy speaks volumes about it. Pogba would need to be at the top of his game if France are to succeed at Euro 2020.
Paul Pogba’s speech before the World Cup final.
What a leader. 🇫🇷👏 pic.twitter.com/X3UST3Ik7R
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 18, 2018
He made headlines for his national team in the World Cup final, when he scored a powerful left-footed goal to give France a 3-1 lead over Croatia. But he was serving a greater purpose for his country, enabling others to advance while he provided precise distribution from a central location further away from the goal. His efforts were structured and effective; he didn’t pop out as the noticeable superstar, but he lived up to expectations and rarely had an off day.
France's Paul Pogba scores their third goal to lead at 3-1 in World Cup final against Croatia #WorldCupFinal2018 #FRACRO #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/u7C1WqLcSV
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) July 15, 2018
Sometimes positioned in a two in Didier Deschamps’ 4-2-3-1 formation opposite the dynamic N’Golo Kante – while Blaise Matuidi was often pushed tighter in a swap with Pogba – there were reports this could be a similar scenario at Old Trafford.
POGBA FOR THE RED DEVILS
Pogba is a dominant figure on the pitch. He is strong and likes to take control of the ball. He is never scared to go in a tackle and loves to face a challenge on the pitch. He has a total of 3 goals and 3 assists for Manchester United this season but it’s his presence on the pitch that threatens opposition teams and makes France a strong force going into Euro 2020.
POGBAAAAAAAAAAAAAA ✨
The Reds have FIVE!
🔴 #MUFC
🏆 #UEL pic.twitter.com/lE5dRctvzs— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 29, 2021
Not only in attack but also while defending he’s a prominent figure at Old Trafford. He has a tackling percentage of 71 percent in the Premier League. He has won a total of 48 aerial battles and is yet to make an error leading to a goal.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM POGBA?
With the likes of Kante and Matuidi in the middle of the park, Pogba will sponge all the pressure. He could create some wonderful balls for the likes of Mbappe and Dembele who could capitalize on them and score goals for France. Not only creating goals he could chip in with some strong strikes from the edge of the box and could send the ball in the back of the net. He has scored some crucial goals for the Red Devils this season and would look to replicate his heroics for his national team.
Overall, Deschamps’ faith in Pogba, as well as the people around him, seems to be a major factor for his increased effectiveness while competing for France. Pogba benefits from France’s aggressive playing style because he can play in more challenging roles without being shut out.