Paul Pogba | Undergoing Medical | Helping out the Laundry Ladies

[Insanity]

If he turns out to be as effective as Toure and Gerrard were for City and Liverpool, then hell yes!

We've been dying for a player like that since Keane.

I don't think either player was comparable to Keane. They are attacking midfielders, where as Keano was the epitome of a box to box midfielder.

Yes, a Toure in prime form would be good (not my taste; still good). Though, Pogba has some distance to cover to reach that level.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

This has nothing to do with whether Pogba's fee, wages or Raiola's cut are justified. All I'm saying is however much Pogba will cost is too much for City to pay if they want to pursue other targets. FFP is no longer a significant restraint to City's spending power but obviously we have to work within a budget, as does every club, including Madrid as you can tell by their absence in negotiations for Pogba too. When have I cried about us not pursuing Pogba? I haven't whatsoever, I accept City have decided the cost is too much and will pursue other targets.

I tend to think that City are not in for him either because Pep doesn't want him (I don't think he is a Pep type player) and/or Pogba isn't interested in moving to City. I think that money and global profile are important to Pogba so United/Madrid are the best options for him to be a commercial behemoth (and make him very rich).

 

[Massive Spanner]

I tend to think that City are not in for him either because Pep doesn't want him (I don't think he is a Pep type player) and/or Pogba isn't interested in moving to City. I think that money and global profile are important to Pogba so United/Madrid are the best options for him to be a commercial behemoth (and make him very rich).

To be fair he probably also wants to play in a stadium with spectators.

 

[JPRouve]

couple of the matches I watched, he was definitely playing deeper than he does for Juve

At the Euro, he played deep but that's something that he did with Juventus under Conte. Before that he was playing higher as an attacking box to box or just as a #10.

 

[Insanity]

couple of the matches I watched, he was definitely playing deeper than he does for Juve

You are right. He definitely played deeper when French played two in the midfield (which was most of the tournament, I guess) but he wasn't sitting in front of the defense, it was still a box to box role, and he wasn't very effective. Was it because of instructions or due to his limited ability? I think that's open to interpretation.

 

[cyberman]

This has nothing to do with whether Pogba's fee, wages or Raiola's cut are justified. All I'm saying is however much Pogba will cost is too much for City to pay if they want to pursue other targets. FFP is no longer a significant restraint to City's spending power but obviously we have to work within a budget, as does every club, including Madrid as you can tell by their absence in negotiations for Pogba too. When have I cried about us not pursuing Pogba? I haven't whatsoever, I accept City have decided the cost is too much and will pursue other targets.

But you spent 150m on transfers last year and this year the revenues of English clubs are skyrocketing that should allow you to spend more.
How small is your budget?

 

[Adisa]

This has nothing to do with whether Pogba's fee, wages or Raiola's cut are justified. All I'm saying is however much Pogba will cost is too much for City to pay if they want to pursue other targets. FFP is no longer a significant restraint to City's spending power but obviously we have to work within a budget, as does every club, including Madrid as you can tell by their absence in negotiations for Pogba too. When have I cried about us not pursuing Pogba? I haven't whatsoever, I accept City have decided the cost is too much and will pursue other targets.

I don't think City dropped interest because of cost. The rumours that City won't sign him started as soon as you guys announced Guardiola. The rumours immediately switched to Gundogan and Kroos.
I simply think he isn't a Guardiola type of midfielder. In that Pogba's abilities are best used in quick transition systems. Spending that kind of money on that profile of midfielder doesn't make sense.

 

[Chaky_Best]

We're all Man United "fans" and we just don't know what's his best position is ?

He'll never be a number 10 ! He doesn't have the quick brain or feets to do that.

He's a typical number 8 or an old fashion box to box player. He's not very good in front of the defense, and not very good behind the striker

Deschamps tried him 2/3 times as a number 10 with France (against Portugal away and Holland) and he was abject.

He played very good as a holding midfielder with France for Euros because they only met small teams.

Nevertheless, it'll be whether with a defensive partner in a 4-2-3-1 (Carrick or Morgan) or in a 4-3-3 when he's more free to boss the midfield.

Roland Courbis always says that Pogba is as talented as not disciplined on the pitch

 

[BobbyManc]

But you spent 150m on transfers last year and this year the revenues of English clubs are skyrocketing that should allow you to spend more.
How small is your budget?

I don't know how big City's budget is but I'd have a sneaky suspicion that a world record transfer might, you know, account for a rather substantial amount of it.

 

[Cassidy]

We're all Man United "fans" and we just don't know what's his best position is ?

He'll never be a number 10 ! He doesn't have the quick brain or feets to do that.

He's a typical number 8 or an old fashion box to box player. He's not very good in front of the defense, and not very good behind the striker

Deschamps tried him 2/3 times as a number 10 with France (against Portugal away and Holland) and he was abject.

He played very good as a holding midfielder with France for Euros because they only met small teams.

Nevertheless, it'll be whether with a defensive partner in a 4-2-3-1 (Carrick or Morgan) or in a 4-3-3 when he's more free to boss the midfield.

Roland Courbis always says that Pogba is as talented as not disciplined on the pitch

Hes 23 he will learn tbh, especially playing for Mourinho

 

[Von Mistelroum]

I imagine the Raiola "no deal done" tweet was aimed at getting Madrid to bid. No need for it otherwise. He doesn't want them to think it's all sewn up.

 

[Judas]

I imagine the Raiola "no deal done" tweet was aimed at getting Madrid to bid. No need for it otherwise. He doesn't want them to think it's all sewn up.

Well done for taking the most negative approach.

 

[Adisa]

Is the motto of most United fans these days anyway. This thread is an example.

That is a tad unfair. This club has gone through a long period of chronic underinvestment. This was happening while fans were being told there was "money in the bank" and we were earning record revenues. We were also paying £70m+ in interest payments each year. Fans had to watch quality players going everywhere but United while still being force fed "biggest club in the world" mantra.
What you see is more of relief that the money the club earns is being invested into the club.

 

[AndyJ1985]

I imagine the Raiola "no deal done" tweet was aimed at getting Madrid to bid. No need for it otherwise. He doesn't want them to think it's all sewn up.

I'm sure Real Madrid were frantically checking his twitter hoping for an update before they launched their bid.

 

[devilish]

We're all Man United "fans" and we just don't know what's his best position is ?

He'll never be a number 10 ! He doesn't have the quick brain or feets to do that.

He's a typical number 8 or an old fashion box to box player. He's not very good in front of the defense, and not very good behind the striker

Deschamps tried him 2/3 times as a number 10 with France (against Portugal away and Holland) and he was abject.

He played very good as a holding midfielder with France for Euros because they only met small teams.

Nevertheless, it'll be whether with a defensive partner in a 4-2-3-1 (Carrick or Morgan) or in a 4-3-3 when he's more free to boss the midfield.

Roland Courbis always says that Pogba is as talented as not disciplined on the pitch

Deschamps. Enough said

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I imagine the Raiola "no deal done" tweet was aimed at getting Madrid to bid. No need for it otherwise. He doesn't want them to think it's all sewn up.

Or he is playing hard ball on getting his 20%, which is more important to him. He owes nothing to Madrid.

 

[Chaky_Best]

Hes 23 he will learn tbh, especially playing for Mourinho

He played for Deschamps since 2012 and didn't improve in terms of tactics. Look at how Deschamps struggled to adapt Pogba to a system ?

First game Right Center Midfield
Second game substitute
Third game Right Center Midfield
Against Ireland - Left center midfield
Then holding midfielder

At Juve, Allegris played him as number 10 in a diamond at the beginning of the season, then changed to a 4-3-3 and after to a flat 4-4-2 and Pogba played false left winger

 

[mu4c_20le]

I imagine the Raiola "no deal done" tweet was aimed at getting Madrid to bid. No need for it otherwise. He doesn't want them to think it's all sewn up.

All the noises seem to indicate that we are the only ones willing to not only pay that much for the player, but also the eight figure amount to the agent, something Perez wasn't willing to do. I've said it before, I would be very very surprised if Madrid came in, as this isn't chump change, their best chance is to include a player like Morata but those deals are very difficult to pull off especially at the last minute.

 

[Riz]

I imagine the Raiola "no deal done" tweet was aimed at getting Madrid to bid. No need for it otherwise. He doesn't want them to think it's all sewn up.

I very much doubt that he conveys information to Real Madrid through Twitter.

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

Wait so all the sources are wrong about fees and such being agreed according to the agent. This is going to drag on for a little while longer yet I fear.

 

[Judas]

I still expect it to be wrapped before the end of the week. Won't be officially announced, but obvious beyond doubt.

 

[glazed]

I very much doubt that he conveys information to Real Madrid through Twitter.

I don't.

 

[SirAF]

Wait so all the sources are wrong about fees and such being agreed according to the agent. This is going to drag on for a little while longer yet I fear.

Raiola denied Zlatan to United right before it was done as well - it means nothing.

 

[glazed]

Well done for taking the most negative approach.

Just realistic. It's all part of the process of raising the temperature and getting the best price, I would think. Otherwise why do it?

 

[cyberman]

I don't know how big City's budget is but I'd have a sneaky suspicion that a world record transfer might, you know, account for a rather substantial amount of it.

So it's an excuse then?
You could buy Pogba / Gundogan and Stones for exactly what you spent last summer.
Lets be honest, it's just an excuse.
Lets wait and see at the end of the window. I'd bet good money signing Pogba wouldn't have got you in trouble in the end up.
You tried to sign him last summer and you spent 170m elsewhere. Pogba was a longterm target ffs.

 

[buchansleftleg]

Much as it makes me uncomfortable to say it and i can't believe i am defending agents here but he is due his fee from Juve - irrespective of the amount.

Look at George Lucas - he waived his normal director's salary for a % of the potential profits from the film and merchandise. A gamble that paid off spectacularly.

Do you think he should have asked this to stop when he reached $50m earned? . no he continued to gain from it (and produce some terrible prequals - don't get me started!)

For every Pogba there are lots of young lads who get a tragic injury or just go off the rails.

 

[Adisa]

Wait so all the sources are wrong about fees and such being agreed according to the agent. This is going to drag on for a little while longer yet I fear.

I don't think it will. Rails said nothing is agreed. Technically he's right but it seems negotiations are at advanced stages.
I expect him to be a Man Utd player before he comes back from his holiday.

 

[Red Bug]

Jose wants Pogba as his no.8 in my opinion. I honestly think Jose see's his 22 like this:

1st Choice

2nd Choice

I can't see futures for Fellaini, Schweinsteiger, Rojo. I'm really not sure about Darmian. I think Jose will prefer the above defensive lineups because of the pace (apart from Blind - who makes a very good utility player.)


But back to Pogba, I can't see us using him ever as a no.10 or a no.6. He'll be a box-to-box midfielder, something we've desperately lacked for years.

 

[Adisa]

Much as it makes me uncomfortable to say it and i can't believe i am defending agents here but he is due his fee from Juve - irrespective of the amount.

Look at George Lucas - he waived his normal director's salary for a % of the potential profits from the film and merchandise. A gamble that paid off spectacularly.

Do you think he should have asked this to stop when he reached $50m earned? . no he continued to gain from it (and produce some terrible prequals - don't get me started!)

For every Pogba there are lots of young lads who get a tragic injury or just go off the rails.

I agree. Juve are just being dicks.
%of a future fee is one of the main reasons Pogba and his agent went there.
It would be cnuntish for Juve to renegade on that.

 

[.Rossi]

I just saw the term "false left winger" in this thread.

I hate modern football

 

[Sir A1ex]

I just saw the term "false left winger" in this thread.

I hate modern football

I just thought false winger was a reference to Memphis.

 

[Riz]

I don't.

Then you're an idiot

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

It seems like Raiola is more interested in his fee than what his client wants

 

[.Rossi]

I just thought false winger was a reference to Memphis.

You mean fraud

 

[.Rossi]

It seems like Raiola is more interested in his fee than what his client wants

Well I for one am shocked

 

[Adisa]

Let's say Mourinho plays a 4231 with Rooney has his No 10.
Has Mourinho ever played such an attack minded CM in a midfield 2?
I know he played Madric next to Alonso behind Ozil and Fabregas next to Matic behind Oscar. But Modric is way ahead of a Pogba when it comes to cteolling a game and is better tactically. Also, Fabregas was great from September to December but his form nosedived after that.
Note: Mourinho said he doesn't want Rooney anywhere near midfield.

 

[Adisa]

It seems like Raiola is more interested in his fee than what his client wants

The fee is owed to both Raiola and Pogba.

 

[Raoul]

Jose wants Pogba as his no.8 in my opinion. I honestly think Jose see's his 22 like this:

1st Choice

2nd Choice

I can't see futures for Fellaini, Schweinsteiger, Rojo. I'm really not sure about Darmian. I think Jose will prefer the above defensive lineups because of the pace (apart from Blind - who makes a very good utility player.)


But back to Pogba, I can't see us using him ever as a no.10 or a no.6. He'll be a box-to-box midfielder, something we've desperately lacked for years.

Can't see Jones starting ahead of Bailly.

 

[JPRouve]

It seems like Raiola is more interested in his fee than what his client wants

Well, it's also his client's fee.

 

[BobbyManc]

So it's an excuse then?
You could buy Pogba / Gundogan and Stones for exactly what you spent last summer.
Lets be honest, it's just an excuse.
Lets wait and see at the end of the window. I'd bet good money signing Pogba wouldn't have got you in trouble in the end up.
You tried to sign him last summer and you spent 170m elsewhere. Pogba was a longterm target ffs.

An excuse for what? I have no idea what your point even is. Yes we could buy Pogba, Gundogan and Stones but then what about Nolito and Zinchenko who we've already signed? Sane who is close to a deal? Bonucci who we are pursuing? What about addressing our full-backs? City's board will have a much better idea than you over how much of a hit signing Pogba would be on the budget. Plus, his cost right now is exorbitant and United are the only team in for him, imagine how much more Juventus would squeeze out of him if City and United were going toe-to-toe for him.