JAMIE REDKNAPP’S

MATCH ANALYSIS

IF I were to give Paul Pogba a school report for his performance so far at Euro 2016, it would read: ‘Satisfactory — could do better.’ There were certainly signs that he can do better. He showed some lovely touches and slide-rule passes, enough flashes of quality to suggest he is going to be one of the standout players — even if he didn’t have the huge impact of Dimitri Payet. It could have been completely different, though, if Pogba (left) had connected properly with a high ball in the Romanian area late in the first half or struck his volley either side of the goalkeeper early in the second. A goal then would have taken the pressure off a player from whom great things are expected. Pogba should still play a big part going forward. Look at Zinedine Zidane at France 98 — he didn’t light up the tournament early on but ended up being one of the best players, scoring twice in the final. One man who did sparkle was Payet. The West Ham man hasn’t had the same fanfare around his presence here but he outshone his more illustrious team-mate, taking the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half. Some of his dribbling was mesmerising and his cross for Olivier Giroud’s opener was excellent, too. Then there was his goal ... wow! It was exactly what this tournament needed. He dazzled when he moved more central into the role vacated by the subbed Pogba, and I wonder if there will be a clamour for him to start there now with Pogba out wide. One thing’s for sure, all eyes will be on Payet when France take on Albania on Wednesday.