Paul Pogba came in for plenty of criticism from Manchester United legends Gary Neville and Roy Keane after France were knocked out of Euro 2020 by Switzerland.
Les Bleus were the favourites to go all the way this summer, but ended up being beaten on penalties by the Swiss on Monday in the last-16.
France were trailing 1-0 at half-time, but fought back to lead 3-1 with just 10 minutes left to play, before Switzerland produced a comeback for the ages and took the game all the way to penalties, which they went on to win.
Karim Benzema scored twice for the French to start their comeback, but Paul Pogba’s screamer and his magnificent passing stole the show among the France ranks.
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However, both Neville and Pogba admitted that they were “frustrated” by his display because he can be guilty of being too adventurous in the wrong positions sometimes.
Neville told ITV: “We saw the best and the worst of him in the second half.
“This is the best of him, absolutely world class strike. Brilliant.
“At this point in the game, he’d played a great pass through just before that, he was starting to get into the game, combining, he was running the game.
“When your team is on top, he’s absolutely outstanding.”
Are Keane and Pogba being too harsh on Pogba? Comment below
Neville also added: “He takes risks on the ball, but you want those risks to be in the final third, not in the defensive third, and they get counter-attacked on.”
Meanwhile, Keane added: “He can be frustrating. This is all a part of Paul’s character, which people love to see, but then I’d be looking at the goal they conceded in injury time, where he was sloppy in midfield. That’s the bit I’d be really critical about.
“It seems harsh because he’s done some brilliant stuff going forward tonight. There’s no doubting Paul’s quality, just the other side, maybe his maturity.
(Image: ITV)
“We’ve mentioned all night, and United have had the same problem, can he play in a two in midfield? He probably can’t, doesn’t have the discipline.
“He was at his best in Juventus when he probably got a bit more freedom and was surrounded by more men, more characters, probably better quality players.
“But even today, he still leaves you frustrated. For all his brilliant quality coming forward, I still think he lacks that discipline defensively [to take hi to the next level].
“That’s the key, the top players manage to do it week in week out and Paul, to me, still doesn’t quite do it.”
Legendary France midfielder Patrick Vieira agreed with Keane and Neville, claiming that Pogba needs to be pushed more to truly reach his potential, instead of showing spurts of brilliance.
“I completely agree,” the ex-Arsenal skipper chimed in. “When you look at his potential, what he can do on the field, you’re expecting more from him.
“I think if he played next to Roy, he would maybe be a different player, because what he needs is somebody behind his back to put him under pressure and be really demanding on him.
“I think if we’d been consistent, been behind him and put him under pressure every single day, he would improve.
“But obviously it is frustrating because he can give much more than what he’s giving to the team.”
