Paul Pogba’s demise has been compared to that of Dele Alli, with two former Premier League stars facing up to sitting “on the bench every week”.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Ex-England international Dele now in ItalyPogba has served 18-month doping banLots of speculation but yet to land contractFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Ex-Tottenham and Everton midfielder Dele is attempting to get his career back on track in Italy with Como. He has, however, taken in just one substitute appearance for the Serie A outfit – and that lasted just nine minutes as he picked up a red card against AC Milan.
AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Pogba is now looking to find a fresh start of his own, with the World Cup-winning Frenchman having served an 18-month doping ban. The former Manchester United and Juventus star has been linked with teams around the world.
DID YOU KNOW?
He is yet to land a contract, at 32 years of age, with teams in MLS and across Europe still mulling over their options. A return to his homeland at Marseille has been speculated on for Pogba – which could see him link up with Mason Greenwood – but Chris Waddle is not convinced that a deal there would be right for all parties.
Paul PogbaWHAT CHRIS WADDLE SAID
The Marseille legend has told : “Paul Pogba was an outstanding young player. When he came to United the first time, everybody thought, look at this kid, he was going to be the new Michel Platini. Then he was at Juventus, did well, but then lost his way. He's been out of the game and he’s in his thirties. After the last few years, Paul Pogba is basically unproven. He was struggling even before he got banned. He wasn't playing great.
“We know he's got talent. We've seen that from a young age. But for Marseille, if the deal was right, they could have a look at him. A bit like Dele Alli going to Como, he never plays, he sits on the bench every week and lost his way.
“It's a big risk. These guys demand money. They're not sitting there and thinking, I don't want any money, I'm just trying to get myself back in the game. You've got to pay these players and they're not cheap.
“So, Marseille with a limited budget, would they think they’d rather get a proven player who's playing at this level at the minute? Someone who can do a job, rather than gamble on somebody who was a great player quite a few years ago, but was a top player? Has he got that desire and passion? Has he got all that? Has he got that to come back and prove to everybody wrong? That's the question.”