Former France star and Manchester City right-back Bacary Sagna thinks Paul Pogba will receive a warm reception from fans and will shine for France national team at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Sagna retired from international football after Euro 2016 final against Portugal in Paris. The 35-year-old right-back made his France debut in 2007 and has gone on to make 63 appearances without scoring a goal.
Pogba was the subject of criticism regarding a lack of discipline and for not fulfilling his defensive duties this season. The former Juventus midfielder was absent from several pivotal games poor formed.
However, his inconsistent at Old Trafford has not broken Didier Deschamps’ faith, and will get even better at World Cup.
“People expect him to be decisive every single game but he is a human being, he has his won qualities. He is very talented, naturally gifted, but he is a holding midfielder player.” said Sagna on Omnisport.
“As midfield players you need to defend first and that is what he is doing, he is focusing on the team. He has a big character and he is really confident in himself and I know Paul will shine during the World Cup.” Sagna added.
Paul Pogba set to start France’s Group C opener with Australia. (Source:www.immews.imbc.com)
Pogba has scored 7 goals and 11 assists in 46 appearances for United this season. He has also 54 international appearances so far. In Euro 2016, the 25-year-old midfielder scored one goal as his team reached the final.
Sagna, who left City in the summer of 2017, thinks Pogba knows how to escape from the pressure that comes from young players like Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele and PSG striker Kylian Mbappe.
“He can deal with the pressure and he is maybe going to remove the pressure off the other players because some of the players are very young, they are only 19 or 20,” Sagna said.
“He has been playing big games with Italian Juventus, English Premier League club Manchester United and the national team so, yeah, he can deal easily with it.” Sagna added.
France will face Australia, Peru and Denmark in Group C. And France boss Didier Deschamps on the other hand, he has confirmed that Pogba is almost certain to start World Cup opener against Australia on June 16.
