Graeme Souness was right about Paul Pogba

Stuart Telford

• 9 Mar 2023 13:41 GMT
• 5 min read

Paul Pogba has been left out of Juventus' squad for their Europa League meeting with Freiburg due to disciplinary reasons, lending more credence to Graeme Souness' claims about the player from his time at Manchester United.

Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer from Man Utd last summer, but he has only made two Serie A appearances, neither of them starts, after struggling with a knee injury.

An injury on its own might not be too controversial, but Pogba has caused consternation with how he has handled it.

READ: Juventus ready to sell Pogba before he's even played for them

Juve wanted him to get surgery when he re-signed in July, but he forewent it in the hope of making France's winter World Cup squad. When it became clear that target was unrealistic, he went under the knife in September instead.

To make matters worse, Pogba posted pictures of a skiing holiday to Instagram this winter when he should have been in the gym rehabilitating. Juve fans made their feelings clear on the platform.

And now, even though Pogba is fit to play, he has been excluded from the Old Lady's squad to face Freiburg in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday.

READ: 'Pogba wanted to quit Man Utd after only TWO years'

"Paul Pogba has not been called up for Europa League game vs Freiburg due to disciplinary reasons," Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano posted to his Twitter. "No new injuries - but Pogba arrived late yesterday evening and he won't be part of Juventus list."

It is the latest indiscretion for a player who often flattered to deceive following his then-word record €105 million transfer to Man Utd from Juventus in 2016, with Liverpool legend Souness famously taking aim him in his Sunday Times column.

What did Souness say?

"Pogba has absolutely everything to be a top player - great athleticism, super technique - but his attitude to the game is the polar opposite of mine.

"He goes out with one thought in his mind: 'I'm going to show everyone how clever I am today and be the star of the show.'

"My attitude, the way I was taught, was: 'Go out and work harder than the guy you're in against and see where that takes you.' He'd be an absolute doddle to play against."