In football, comebacks are far from being a rare occurrence. Some might argue that they’ve become excessive in the current day and age.
However, their outcome can be unsatisfying more often than not. Paul Pogba himself would acknowledge this fact after enduring an underwhelming second stint at Manchester United.
The Frenchman made his return to Old Trafford for some unfinished business, but he failed to justify his world record transfer, and the turbulence within the club didn’t help matters.
So how do you bounce back from a disappointing “homecoming”?
Of course by pulling off another one!
Hence, Pogba is now all set to complete a return to Juventus six years following his exit and ten years removed from his initial landing in Turin.
Nonetheless, many doubts are being raised regarding the player’s ability to uplift the club from its current decline. Some fans and observers are pointing to the midfielder’s increasing number of injuries as of late as well as his uninspiring performances for Man United in the past few campaigns.
But if the years have potentially taken its toll on the player, then the club’s regressing status is an undeniable fact.
When the France international first arrived in Turin, he found a dressing room filled with champions and proven winners (the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Andrea Pirlo and Giorgio Chiellini).
But this time around, Pogba won’t enjoy such luxurious company. Instead, he’ll be the one that the rest of the squad will resort to for inspiration.
So will the World cup winner rise to the occasion and cement himself as a leader on the pitch and in the locker room?
Once the season kicks off, Juventus will be hoping to find the same enigmatic talent that took Serie A by storm early in his career, while Pogba will be eager to rediscover the Old Lady that reigned supreme over Italian football.
So let’s time hope that the sands of time don’t ruin another ecstatic reunion.
I get the feeling he`ll want to play football and enjoy it again. i`m 70/30 he`ll be excellent again. As he is older he will appreciate the accepting atmosphere more, and being a Family Man he will show his supportive side to others.
Well written piece. Very good
If he can stay healthy. He will contribute positively. But he can not be the intense ruthless leader people intend. What man u never understood about pogba is that he is a competative guy BUT he has a happy go lucky personality. He can not be the the go to leader. He be left free to roam. I dont necessarely mean on the field. I mean metaphorically. But maybe even on the field. Locatelli must be the leader even at his age. He has a ruthless competativeness that saw him grab a a water bottle from Barella’s hands and toss it back with fury. This happened at the last Euro’s while both were on the bench observing the game. Although, Locatelli was watching intensely, Barella was playing wirh an almost empty water bottle and tapping it all over Locatelli like little sibling trying tho bust your chop. Pogba is like barella. Intense on the field but happy go lucky off. Locatelli is intense always. You need that playfull attitude around as well but just like cuadrado, dybala, and dani alves before, these kind of players can not be leaders but they must be allowed the express their personality as well because thst is their form of contribution to the team atmosphere. My point is…just let Pogba play his game. Let Bonucci and Locatelli be the drill sergeants and orchestrators. Now if he is not healthy, this going to be a disaster.