Well, well, well…
For a brief second there, we actually thought Graeme Souness might be about to offer something vaguely resembling praise to Paul Pogba.
Pogba has quite obviously not impressed Souness since re-joining Manchester United a couple of years ago, making this clear whenever given the opportunity.
Ahead of the World Cup final, Souness, appearing as a pundit on BeInSport, was asked by Richard Keys if he’s warmed to the former Juventus star over the course of the tournament in Russia.
“Most definitely, yeah,” he replied. “I’ve been a critic of his back in the UK and I wouldn’t back off the things I’ve said about him while he’s been a Man United player but I see a different Paul Pogba in this competition.”
So far, not so bad, Graeme.
He continued: “My number one criticism: he’s got a fast-forward gear when he’s attacking and when he loses it, he’s got the jog back. He doesn’t sprint back as quickly as he does when he’s trying to do things. I think he’s been more of a team player in this competition. But when you’re playing with Matuidi and the likes of Kante, you’d be embarrassed if you didn’t put the same kind of shift in as them.”
A bit more like it.
Souness was then asked about his comments about Pogba prior to the tournament, where he said he wouldn’t start Pogba if he were his manager.
“No, not on what I’d seen,” Souness reaffirmed.
“Put it this way. If you were playing in a game and Paul Pogba was a substitute, do you bring Paul Pogba on in the last ten minutes if you’re 1-0 up and looking to close the game down? You don’t do that.
“You bring Paul Pogba on to try and get you a goal in the last ten minutes if you’re chasing something.
“I think he’s indisciplined and that’s the kindest word I can say about him.”
That’s more like it.
"He's indisciplined and that's the kindest word I can say about him."
Graeme Souness on @paulpogba!#beINRussia #beINFWC #WorldCupFinal #MUFC pic.twitter.com/yDVsePXcw3
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) July 15, 2018
He tried to praise him but it came out another way.
Pogba had a fine game and scored France’s third goal as they cruised to victory in Moscow.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher certainly enjoyed that one.
https://twitter.com/Carra23/status/1018530702202167298
Paul Pogba, World Cup winner.
