Chelsea and Barcelona have reportedly been offered the services of Paul Pogba, with Manchester United open to the idea of offloading the Frenchman.
Spanish publication Don Balon are claiming that Paul Pogba might not be a Manchester United player for long. The Red Devils are exploring the possibility of selling the midfielder in the summer. The Manchester-based outfit have offered the French international to the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona.
As bizarre as the rumour may sound, it might have some truth to it. Manchester United clearly don’t function well as a unit with Paul Pogba in the middle. And the Frenchman is clearly unable to adapt to the 4-2-3-1 formation and the added defensive duties that come with it.
Jose Mourinho has attempted to bring the best out of Pogba by deploying the Frenchman in the hole as well as in a midfield three. But, the Frenchman has never displayed the consistency he had shown at Juventus, while he has proven his class from time to time in the red shirt.
Despite popular belief, Paul Pogba had a great campaign, going by the numbers. The Frenchman recorded a total of 12 assists and 6 goals in all competitions this season, with majority of the returns coming in the Premier League. Still, there is much more expected from a player who had ruled the Serie A for three seasons and one who is considered one of the best midfielders in the world.
Manchester United have snapped up Fred, which could be seen as a last-ditch effort by Mourinho to switch to a 4-3-3 and have Fred complement Pogba in order to bring the best out of him, with Nemanja Matic forming the base of the three-man midfield.
But, the Red Devils are reportedly exploring the possibility of offloading him in the summer, news which would definitely come as a shock to Manchester United fans. Chelsea and Barcelona have been offered the services of the Frenchman.
Chelsea need a central midfielder to partner N’Golo Kante ably. And with Pogba already doing the same for the French National Team, the Frenchman could be the best fit to complement his compatriot.
Barcelona, on the other hand, are looking to beef up their midfield, with Ernesto Valverde often switching to a 4-4-2 from 4-3-3. Either formation would be able to bring the best out of Pogba, with the club not really warranting added defensive focus from the central midfielders, especially with Sergio Busquets at the base of the midfield.
All in all, while the prospect of landing a player like Paul Pogba might interest Chelsea and Barcelona, Manchester United and Jose Mourinho are unlikely to offload the player just yet, at least without giving the fully fluid 4-3-3 a try in the upcoming season.
There is still a possibility of Pogba departing Old Trafford. But, right now, the probability of that happening seems pretty meek.