Pogba must focus on national team: Deschamps
France boss Didier Deschamps has urged Paul Pogba to forget his unhappy spell at Manchester United and focus on the national team’s upcoming friendly matches.
Pogba is enduring his most difficult period since returning to United from Juventus for an initial £89million fee.
The 25-year-old was hauled off during defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle United and was benched for the Champions League defeat to Sevilla and FA Cup quarter-final win over Brighton and Hove Albion.
Deschamps admits Pogba is unlikely to be enjoying his time at Old Trafford but wants him to concentrate on the games against Colombia and Russia.
“It’s not a specific case to Paul. It happens at different call-ups, that a player is not so good or is going through a certain situation at his club,” he said.
“It could be Paul, there, and others at a different time, and I will do as I have always done: I will talk with him, to understand.
“But that’s what I told them [the squad]: what happened at the weekend and before is no longer on the agenda. We have to focus on Russia and Colombia. That’s part of our job as coaches.
“Obviously, this is a situation he won’t appreciate in relation to everything he’s done. There can be many, varied reasons. He can’t be happy with what he’s going through with his club.”
Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele earned a recall to Deschamps’ set-up following a run of good displays in recent weeks.
The 20-year-old was not involved for his country towards the end of last year, initially being left out while Barca tried to secure his transfer from Borussia Dortmund, before a serious hamstring injury saw him miss the final World Cup qualifiers.
Deschamps has been pleased with Dembele’s recent displays but wants him to become more “efficient” in attack.
“The summer was complicated for him and it prevented him from being there in September,” he said. “That was before his injury, then there was a slight recurrence.
“He has come back well. He’s been able to string together a few games and his latest performances prove he has found his legs.”
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