YOU’RE A DIVER POGBA!
At 25, Utd star is learning to swim
PAUL Pogba is working hard on his diving after learning to swim.
The Manchester United ace has had a fear of water since childhood and never had lessons.
But now the French midfielder has finally taken the plunge after being ribbed by pals about staying on dry land while he was on a sunshine holiday this summer.
He has started regular sessions in the pool being taught how to stay afloat by United’s fitness staff and has already set himself a goal of swimming 10 lengths by early next year.
Pogba, 25, wears tight-fitting goggles during lessons because he has told friends he panics when he gets water in his eyes.
“Paul realises he’s been putting off learning to swim for ages and ages. The longer it goes on the harder it becomes”, revealed a club insider.
“He realises he should have started when he was much younger but he just kept delaying it.
“On holidays whenever he left his lounger it would just be to cool down and have a bit of a paddle. He wouldn’t let his head go under. A few of his mates said he should have a word with the fitness guys about lessons because he would feel much better if he could overcome this fear, and he took their advice.
“He’s taking it really seriously and has set a personal target of 10 lengths of breast-stroke.
“Although he gets a little bit anxious before he starts his workouts he’s fine once he gets going.”
This is not the first time the £89million star has found himself in deep water at Old Trafford this season after upsets with boss Jose Mourinho.
The pair have clashed regularly over Pogba’s performances and comments which came to a head last month with the player’s infamous penalty kick capers.
He took a gentle run-up of 28 steps in almost 10 seconds before striking the ball and having his spot-kick saved by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
And despite scoring the rebound past England’s 24-year old stopper and United winning 2-1, despairing Mourinho is believed to have told him to change his penalty technique.