Paul Pogba is seemingly on the verge of an imminent move to Manchester United. The truth is that well, he has been on the verge for quite a few days now but that is mostly attributed to the complicated world transfer record-breaking deal being worked out with Juve.
Pogba has himself found an agreement with United a while back and looks to be happily vacationing in Miami and waiting for the transfer to be finalized on the club end before he will swoop in for his medical.
Juventus meanwhile, hardly seem too perturbed. While European clubs are battling with each other for the best players, Juve have already wrapped up some of the most in-demand players in the continent. Miralem Pjanic, Mehdi Benatia, Marko Pjaca and Gonzalo Higuain had a whole host of clubs after them but the Bianconeri charmed all of them in record time.
That is why Juve have had a great position on the negotiating table with United. They know Mourinho covets the Frenchman and have no urgency in letting him go. We look at 5 reasons Juventus are so confident they can thrive in Pogba’s absence.
#1 Tactical Adaptability
The Italians are the best in the world in interpreting multiple roles on the pitch, as was on brilliant display at the 2016 European Championships. Juventus are no different. Conte’s imprint on several players is still apparent to see of course and Massimiliano Allegri has always shown himself to be an astute manager as well (barring a nightmare season at Milan).
Juve have assembled a squad to play their favoured 3-5-2 and even switch to a 4-3-3 or a 4-3-1-2 with remarkable ease. They have intelligent quality players capable of playing in multiple positions.
It’s difficult to find a player with similar attributes and qualities to Pogba, but with their versatility, Juve don’t have to do that at all. They can bring in someone like Matic or Witsel and slightly alter the way they play.
#2 Miralem Pjanic
The Bosnian playmaker is a one man reason enough to show the Bianconeri don’t have to worry about Pogba’s attacking contribution. Pjanic accrued the same number of assists as Pogba in the last Serie A season at 12 and even scored 2 more goals than the 23-year-old midfielder as well. With 10 goals and 12 assists, Pjanic was the only midfielder with double digits in both goals and assists in the league, and his quality and consistency is in absolutely no doubt.
Pjanic is also marvellous at set pieces, almost Pirlo-esque in his accuracy. Pogba is pretty good at free kicks too but still has to learn while Pjanic is already the master.
#3 The world record transfer fee
Transfer fees just keep rising and rising. Who would have thought clubs would pay figures of £40-50 million pounds for talented youngsters like Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, even Renato Sanches and Anthony Martial (though both very promising players) were certainly not worth the exorbitant fees being paid for them.
So is Pogba really worth a 100 million pound transfer fee? Maybe not. But the giant fees being paid for other not so great players makes you wonder.
In any case, Pogba is certainly amongst the best players in the world. But whether he’s in your Top 10, or 15, or 25 is up for debate. And hanging around to see whether he will make it to the absolute top is something Juve don’t have to do for a world record-shattering transfer fee.
#4 Weakening their rivals
With the signings of Miralem Pjanic from Roma and Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli, Juve have signed the best players of the sides that finished 2nd and 3rd last year. With the Milan clubs still muddled in confusion over ownership and management, Juve seem heavy favourites for the Serie A Title with or without Pogba.
The gap in the quality of squad between the Champions and the other teams in the division has become so colossal, that it seems irrelevant to the abilities of the Juventus squad whether Pogba stays or goes, in determining whether they can regain their Serie A crown.
#5 Renewing the hunger in the squad
With moving on players like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba while bringing in fresh faces, Juve are making sure they have enough hunger and drive in their unit. The former are players who all won Serie A multiple times with Juve, while Higuain, Pjanic, Benatia and Pjaca are players extremely hungry for trophies.
Juve’s priorities will, of course, lie in European Competition, but performing well in the Champions League isn’t just a switch you can turn on and off between domestic competitions. Juve have to head into their entire season full of drive and yearning and to make sure the composition of their team keeps getting freshened up is vital.
This was a critical aspect of how Sir Alex Ferguson could win so many trophies with Manchester United and still start a new season with just as much drive and resilience. So while Pogba is eager to leave for new challenges, the players Juve are bringing in (Higuain and Pjanic especially) will be thrilled even just with domestic success.
