‘I wouldn’t go anywhere near him!’
Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards disagreed about Paul Pogba potentially signing for Manchester City on a free transfer in the summer.
The midfielder rejoined United in the summer of 2016 having spent four successful years at Juventus but has fallen short of expectations in a red shirt.
Pogba has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, registering one goal and nine assists. However, he has missed a number of matches through injury in what has been a dissipating campaign for both the former Juventus man and the Red Devils.
He is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, and reportedly sent a final message to the squad group chat on WhatsApp.
Pogba linked with move to City
It comes after reports earlier this week which suggested that the Frenchman was linked with a move to rivals City this summer on a free transfer. With his contract up in the summer, the World Cup winner will leave for no fee, and City have now emerged as a possible destination.
As reported by the Guardian, Pogba is open to the move despite the rivalry between the two clubs. The 29-year-old would be following in the footsteps of Carlos Tevez, who controversially left United for City in 2009.
City boss Guardiola is reportedly keen on using Pogba in a deeper midfield role and are willing to offer him a four-year-contract with an option for an extra year, which would keep him at the club until he is 34 years of age.
What did the pundits day?
Speaking after City cruised past Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, the Sky Sports pundits were split in their viewpoints on whether Pogba should sign for the Reds’ cross-city rivals. Here’s what they said:
👍 "You would take him in a heartbeat!"
👎 "I wouldn't go anywhere near him!"Rumours of Paul Pogba to Man City has well and truly SPLIT the studio 😬 pic.twitter.com/F317ZzsfgG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 8, 2022
Jamie Redknapp : “It would be an incredible move. It was one I didn’t see coming. You have to weigh it up. Free transfer, he’d have a point to prove because he’s took a lot of stick at Man United.
“He (Pep Guardiola) obviously respects him as a player. There was talk a few years ago he could have gone for it,” he added. “Now, a player of his quality no matter what you say about Paul Pogba, high wages, that’s not a problem for Man City, you’d take him in a heartbeat.
“He adds a lot to this team, he’d be hungry to show what he can do, he lives in the area. It would be an incredible move, a brave move, but I’d love to see that in the Premier League, I think it’d make sense all round.
“It would be a completely different player we see at United. He’d have to play a lot more like he does at France. He’s not the only one from Manchester United, right now you wouldn’t take a player from Man United, they can’t all be that bad.
“As a free transfer, you’re going to buy a player that is going to be desperate to do well. It’s a no brainer, I think it’ll be a no brainer to take him with his qualities, he scores goals, he adds so much to the team, you’re going to lose Fernandinho. ”
Jamie Carragher: “I wouldn’t go anywhere near him. You win the league every year, get 95 to a 100 points. He doesn’t work hard as much as the other players, if Pep could get it out of him fantastic, there’s no doubting his ability but when you look at City’s creative players Foden, Bernardo Silva these types of players who are brilliant and don’t stop working from minute one to 90, that’s what makes Man City who they are.
“They are a great team, brilliant manager, great individuals. He does not work hard enough that’s the end of it. Anyone says that he gives 100% in the game, that’s a lie.
“That’s a massive problem for me, so the manager demands I work hard so a manager doesn’t demand I work hard, I don’t work hard as a player? I can’t get my head round that. I played for about five or six managers at Liverpool, it didn’t matter who the manager was in terms of being committed every week.
“Paul Pogba whether you see him in a French shirt or at United, unbelievable quality, but we’re still six years in and we’re still talking about his best position, who can get the best out of him. Come on. I don’t know how we’re still talking about it five or six years in about how to get the best out of him, get the best out of yourself, you don’t need a manager for to get the best out of you?”
Micah Richards : “I’d take him tomorrow, in a heartbeat. He does work hard. He’s in a team at Man United were they have no structure. We’re talking about working hard, if you look at the way Manchester City play they win the ball high up. He only need to do five or six-yard sprints. He would fit into this team.”
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