Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 7y

Manchester United's Paul Pogba 'needs to be pushed' - France assistant

Manchester United and France star Paul Pogba needs to be "pushed" to show the best of his talent, Didier Deschamps' assistant coach has told L'Equipe.

Pogba, 24, is in line to pick up his 46th cap for France in Friday's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Sweden in Stockholm where Les Bleus will be seeking a win that will take them six points clear of their opponents in Group A.

Since making his international debut in March 2013, Pogba has struggled to consistently perform to his best, and Deschamps' No. 2, Guy Stephan, said the former Juventus midfielder should not rest on his laurels if he is to perform to the maximum of his potential.

Stephan said: "He has great athletic qualities, fantastic technique, and has been able to put right certain things, such as avoiding useless dribbles. Paul sometimes needs to be pushed. His range of qualities is so large that sometimes you have to put them in the right direction again. Didier [Deschamps] is very watchful about that."

After returning to United last summer in a world-record transfer, Pogba was moved around the pitch by manager Jose Mourinho, who seemed unsure as to the France international's best position.

"He's a No. 8 who likes to go forward. Right now, we play with two defensive midfielders and two wide midfielders. That doesn't stop him being effective," said Stephan, who was impressed by Pogba's match-winning display in October's qualifying win over Netherlands.

"His goal was very important that evening and showed us technical quality and power. His character too."

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