When Paul Pogba returned to Juventus, he charged into his press conference as if on springs. He said, “Ciao a tutti,” and grinned at the media. “I can tell how pleased everyone is to see me. I know you miss me.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
After spending six years at Manchester United, where he melted like one of Salvador Dali’s watches, Pogba returned as if he had never left. Ironically, or perhaps tragically, the Frenchman’s return to Turin has not prevented anyone from missing him.
Pogba, who turned 30 on Wednesday, has yet to make his Juventus debut after returning to the team last summer on another free transfer. A fortnight ago, Pogba finally made his “second” debut, to the enthusiastic applause of the Allianz Stadium crowd as he warmed up on the sidelines before playing a 20-minute cameo against Torino in the Derby della Mole.
With Pogba, Federico Chiesa, and Angel Di Maria all becoming available at once, the true potential of this Juventus team felt tantalizingly close. This season’s storm clouds that have accumulated around the club were being broken by a shaft of light. How saddeningly short-lived it was, too.
Pogba, who turned 30 on Wednesday, has yet to make his Juventus debut after returning to the team last summer on another free transfer. A fortnight ago, Pogba finally made his “second” debut, to the enthusiastic applause of the Allianz Stadium crowd as he warmed up on the sidelines before playing a 20-minute cameo against Torino in the Derby della Mole.
With Pogba, Federico Chiesa, and Angel Di Maria all becoming available at once, the true potential of this Juventus team felt tantalizingly close. This season’s storm clouds that have accumulated around the club were being broken by a shaft of light. How saddeningly short-lived it was, too.
No accommodations were made for Pogba when he arrived late to a team meal at the J Hotel the evening before Juventus’ Europa League match against Freiburg last week. Pogba was given a warning by Max Allegri and told to go home. Juventus accidentally hit the post with a fine. Paul is expected to set a good example for the other players, according to Francesco Calvo, the area sport director at Juventus.
After all, Pogba pledged to perform this function. He told GQ Italia, “I had experienced players around me when I was at Juve (the first time). “I’ve joined that group of players. A Chiellini, a Buffon, and a Pirlo. It’s up to me to follow their example. Allegri argued that everything was over before it had started in an effort to minimize the significance of the situation. The Livornese told him that he would be available once more the next day.
Pogba, however, was not readily available.
