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#3 Paul Pogba
With major news outlets reporting on Paul Pogba’s imminent world-record move from Juventus to either Real Madrid or Manchester United, the 23-year-old might have a difficult time focusing on the job at hand. He definitely looked as though he had not let the huge transfer fees he is supposedly commanding get to his head, as he produced a masterclass against the world champions’ defence in the semi-final.
A commanding performance against Iceland followed by a hardworking box-to-box display, including a key role in France’s second goal against Germany in the semi-final, will have done a world of good for the French star. He initially looked devoid of confidence and under a lot of pressure as it seemed the media frenzy surrounding him, for being the Atlas to the globe of French hopes, got to him.
After a tentative start, it seems Pogba is ready to step up his performance in the final. The Juventus midfielder will be hoping to replicate his performance against the Germans on Sunday against Portugal to ensure France’s unique record of never losing a final on home soil since 1984 remain intact. He will especially be licking his lips at the prospect of coming up against a physically weak and inexperienced Portuguese midfield for whom his pace and power might just be too much to handle.
