Sunday 3 July 2016 19:35, UK
The biggest clubs in Europe are reportedly vying for his signature but Paul Pogba has not yet lived up to expectations at Euro 2016. Will that change in France's quarter-final against Iceland on Sunday?
"There is a lot of talk about him but he is still quite young and he needs calm and concentration."
Didier Deschamps has done his best to take the spotlight off Paul Pogba but it's not easy when the world is watching. The 23-year-old was expected to light up Euro 2016 after another stellar season with Juventus, but three weeks into the tournament he is still searching for ignition.
The scrutiny has been intense, and it started after his disappointing display in France's late win over Romania. The tournament's poster boy struggled with the expectation of a nation craving something akin to Zinedine Zidane's heroics at the 1998 World Cup, and he wasn't even on the pitch when Dimitri Payet struck the decisive goal at the Stade de France.
Pogba's performance and attitude were criticised by sections of the French media, and he was dropped for their second group game against Albania. It was a bold move from Deschamps, but the midfielder was introduced at half-time and produced a stunning long-range pass to set up France's second goal in the closing stages.
It was a fine response, but there was controversy too. In the celebrations that followed, he was accused of aiming an offensive gesture at journalists at the Stade Velodrome. Pogba insisted he was merely celebrating in the direction of his family in the stands, but the episode only served to intensify a debate that has enveloped French fans and the country's media.
And it's not just in France that Pogba's every move is being analysed. His agent Mino Raiola is using the exposure to fuel transfer speculation across the continent. Talks have already begun with Real Madrid, while French newspaper L'Equipe say Manchester United want him back at Old Trafford. A world-record transfer fee has been mooted.
It all adds to the pressure on Pogba's young shoulders. The midfielder is already used to life at the top of his profession having won four consecutive Serie A titles since joining Juventus in 2012, but the expectations at Euro 2016 are something else entirely.
Pogba's desperation to impress has been clear in France's last two matches. He started the Switzerland game like a man on the mission, tearing into Vladimir Petkovic's side and hitting the woodwork twice in the opening 20 minutes.
He was ultimately unable to find a way through, but on an individual level it was a far more encouraging performance. Pogba had more touches, made more passes and attempted more shots than any of his team-mates that night. "He was the life force of the first half," said Deschamps afterwards. "He's very important for us. We need Paul Pogba at top level."
His first-half display had the mixture of all-action intensity and technical guile he typically produces at club level, but Pogba's enthusiasm got the better of him in France's last-16 clash against the Republic of Ireland. With barely a minute played at the Stade de France, the midfielder hurtled into Shane Long to concede the penalty.
It prompted more criticism. "Is Pogba the world's most overrated player?" asked Gary Lineker on Twitter. "Possibly, yes," responded one French journalist. The doubts still linger. Pogba helped France overturn the deficit against Ireland, but it was Antoine Griezmann who took the headlines, scoring twice in the space of four second-half minutes to put France into the last eight.
Griezmann's heroics followed Payet's outstanding contribution in the group stage. Through it all, Pogba has played a supporting role in what was supposed to be his tournament. But while four appearances have yielded no goals or assists so far, Sunday's quarter-final with Iceland presents another opportunity to seize the moment.
England's elimination shows France can ill-afford to underestimate them. The island minnows are defensively disciplined and well organised, and France will need greater penetration than England and Portugal to avoid another shock.
And so the spotlight settles on Pogba again. The tournament has been turbulent for him, but there is still time for him to make his mark. A starring performance against Iceland would silence his doubters and remind the watching world what the fuss is about. "He is very good and very happy - don't worry," said Patrice Evra this week. "He will respond when we need him."
With a place in the semi-finals at stake, France need him now.
