Paul Pogba is in danger of losing his starting place at the World Cup. French supporters have turned on the midfielder and manager Didier Deschamps is still to decide whether he can be trusted to perform on a consistent basis.
Pogba started in Friday’s 3-1 win over Italy but failed to influence the game, even though he played in his preferred free role in a three-man midfield.
Flanked by the energy of N’Golo Kante and Corentin Tolisso, the Manchester United star had, in theory, the ideal platform to shine.
Yet his passing was awry and one shot from distance nearly went out for a throw-in. When he was replaced by Steven N’Zonzi on 87 minutes, Pogba was jeered and whistled by his own crowd.
Deschamps insisted Pogba retains his confidence but he also made a point of highlighting his ‘many options’ in midfield.