With his future clearer following the reduction of his four-year ban for doping offences now appealed down to 18 months, Paul Pogba is looking for a new employer. Juventus have – according to themirror.co.uk – ripped up his contract leaving the controversial 31 year old midfielder to re-launch his football career.
A new report last night suggests a return to the Premier League is front and centre for the former French International.
From Fichajes.net comes:”Paul Pogba, French player, has been away from the playing fields since he was sanctioned for a possible doping case, and is the main target of two clubs in the Premier League: Newcastle United and West Ham United.“
As if West Ham don’t have enough stress to deal with at present with Lucas Paquetá’s pending hearing for alleged yellow card betting offences , the claim is “Both Newcastle and West Ham are willing to take the risk of signing him, confident that after his 4-year suspension was reduced to 18 months, Pogba will be able to return in early 2025 and become a key player in their respective projects.”
Free to play again from March next year, the divisive Pogba was at his peak undoubtedly a hugely talented player but always seemed to me to be equally disruptive in the dressing room.
The report continues:”West Ham is also determined to secure the services of the midfielder, although their focus is more on immediate team improvement and solidifying their position in the Premier League. Despite the risks posed by Pogba’s situation, West Ham believes that if he returns in 2025, the player can provide the necessary talent to elevate their midfield to a new level.”
Would any side take a gamble on his re-discovery of form? Certainly, someone will. I’d suggest if Juventus don’t want him back that speaks volumes and it is an option that has ‘trouble’ written all over it.
The only thing that worries me is that we took another world-cup winning midfielder on a ‘free’ based on reputation rather than current ability, and that hasn’t worked out. Once bitten, twice shy? Not West Ham. Pogba’s agent is already known to David Sullivan, being super-agent Rafaela Pimenta who represents Alphonse Areola.
And a former world cup-winning superstar on the cheap is exactly the kind of ‘gift’ which David Sullivan would love to bestow on us all.
