Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JUVE GOT TO COME BACK , POBGA
Szczesny reveals the Juventus stars would welcome United misfit’s return to Italy as he’s still ‘one of the best players in the world’
JUVENTUS stars would welcome back Paul Pogba with open arms if he decided to rejoin them this summer.
That’s according to former Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny who is No.1 in Turin.
Pogba confirmed earlier this week he is leaving Manchester United on a free when his contract expires at the end of this month.
And that has opened the door for home-town club Paris Saintgermain and Juve, the club he left six years ago to join United for £89million, to make their moves to take the World Cupwinning Frenchmidfielder on a free transfer.
Pogba, 29, is a four-time Serie
A w inn er (below, middle) and popular with the fans (below, left).
Szczesny said: “Yes, we’d welcome him back – he did brilliantly in his previous time so he would be a great addition to the squad.
“He is a player with good calibre and experience, and he has good memories from Turin. I’d be delighted to see that happen.
“He’s absolutely still a top player. Maybe over the last couple of years, his consistency and the injuries didn’t help at United. But when he is fit, he is still one of the best in the world.”
If Pogba does end up back at Juventus, there is an outside chance he could team up in midfield alongside Aaron Ramsey (below, right) at times next season.
The Welshman spent the second half of the campaign with Rangers after an injuryplagued 18 months in Italy.
But, as things stand, he is set to return to Turin for the final year of his contract with the Serie A side.
Asked about the pair forming a partnership in midfield, Szczesny added: “I’d take that – if they are both fit.
“It’s up to Aaron and the club what he does next. A fit Aaron Ramsey is a very good player.
“That has been a big problem for him over the last few years. If he can get himself fit he will be a great addition to our team or any other club in Europe because he is a brilliant player.”
Ramsey and Szczensy know each other well having played together for the Gunners.
And the failure of Mikel Arteta’s men to secure Champions League football for next season, despite having had fourth spot in their grasp resonated with their ex-keeper.
Szczensy said: “As a fan, it was really disappointing. They gave it a good go and nobody would have said before the season started that they had a chance.
“They were still in it with two games of the season left, but they have done a good job this year.
“I can see Mikel’s idea, he has a young team so they will be all right. Another few years and they will be back in the Champions League.”