A RETURN TO TURIN PLEASE
Juve skipper tells Pog: We’d love to have you back in Italy
PAUL POGBA has been told he would be welcome back at Juventus – by club captain Giorgio Chiellini.
Manchester United’s World Cup-winning midfielder, 25, lines up against Chelsea in this lunchtime’s heavyweight clash at Stamford Bridge.
Juventus sold Pogba for £89million in 2016 but Italy skipper Chiellini, 34, said: “Pogba? We’d gladly welcome him back.
“He is special. He was kissed by mother nature with talent, like LeBron James or Usain Bolt.”
Pogba spent four years with Juve, lifting four Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies after leaving United.
But since he returned to Old Trafford he has had several run-ins with boss Jose Mourinho, while a host of club
legends have criticised his performances. But Chiellini (below) said: “He only has to become a bigger leader on the field, the abilities are there.
“But he is only 25 years old and there is too much responsibility for him.”
United also face a fight to keep hold of Anthony Martial. The unhappy 22-year-old France winger is out of contract at the end of the season and is understood to have no intention of staying any longer.
United plan to offer him a similar deal to the one signed by Luke Shaw this week.
Martial’s agent Philippe Lamboley made it clear during the summer that his client wanted to quit.
Martial has subsequently started just five games this season, although he did score in the Reds’ dramatic recovery from 2-0 down to beat Newcastle 3-2 two weeks ago.
United have been fined £13,000 by UEFA for their late arrival at Old Trafford and the delayed kick-off of their Champions League match against Valencia earlier this month.