POGBA IS LE CHEF*
*That means leader in French and their captain Lloris says their talisman Paul will serve up a treat
URUGUAY v FRANCE Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod KICK-OFF 3pm ITV PAUL POGBA has been hailed as a “true leader”, who is coming of age at the World Cup.
While the Manchester United midfielder has attracted fierce criticism at club level, he has already earned the respect of his France team-mates, heading into their quarter-final clash with Uruguay.
France captain Hugo Lloris said: “I think Paul is maturing, he’s growing.
“He is accumulating experience – be it with Manchester United or Juventus – and now he is lining up more seasons, more caps.
“He’s starting to grow in the locker-room as well and that is a good thing because he’s a true leader. “Paul is a very ambitious player. We all know he’s extremely talented and he has a great deal to offer the team and his team-mates. “I think these big competitions are also good for revealing the talent of players – and I’m sure that’s going to be the case for Paul.” Uruguay could be without striker Edinson Cavani against the French, due to the calf injury that forced him off in the round-of-16 win over Portugal. The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored both goals in that victory and Lloris admitted he is a well-known threat in the France camp. “Cavani has been a historic figure for PSG,”
Lloris added. “He’s scored so many goals. “He’s a winner, he’s a leader, he’s very much respected in France as a player, but also as a man because of his values. “We’re getting ready for anything – whether he plays or does not. We know what he represents, but we also know they have other players that could also play at a high level. “It’s true that Cavani and Luis Suarez are among the most beautiful attacking partnerships on earth. Uruguay have a great team and very clear ideas about what they want to do. “They are a very difficult team to handle and very strong on the counter, regardless of who is playing up front.” France coach Didier Deschamps has insisted that teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe will be able to cope with the massive media spotlight, following his incredible display to defeat Argentina. The 19-year-old hit two scintillating goals in the epic 4-3 win to become the first teenager to score twice in a World Cup match since Pele.
“What he did against Argentina was very good,” said Deschamps.
“It put a spotlight on him, obviously, and to play like that, in such an important match, made a name for him.
“He’s had time to digest this and I think he’s recovered just like the rest of the team. We’ve all had a few days to recover.
“On Sunday and Monday, we savoured the victory and, from Tuesday, we started focusing again. This is how top-level sport is.
“But we must not now relax and think that everything is easy, that life is beautiful and that less effort is needed.
“But Kylian is smart, he’s listening and he knows all that.
“He’s only 19, but he’s gone from Monaco to PSG where the demands have been different and now at the World Cup, they are even higher.
“Despite all the good things he’s doing, he’s only learning. That’s only natural. “All players, regardless of their talent, at that age are learning.” Deschamps has warned his players to be patient against what they expect to be a stubborn Uruguay.
“It’s a team with a very different profile to Argentina,” he said.
“Extremely organised in defence and then very dangerous on the counter-attacks. We must be really patient.’’