Antoine Griezmann

[cheeky_backheel]

And that's my no.1 fear regarding Mourinho's plans. Pogba lacks positional discipline as well as aggression to make that transition. He makes mistakes and has tendency for losing the ball. Citing stats: in our team Paul's got the second worst record in getting dispossessed - 1,8 per game. Add to that the worst score in having unstable touch -2,7.
He isn't a fine material for a central midfielder. What's happening is the practice of forcefully putting square pegs in round holes and his game does suffer because of it. We didn't break the world transfer record to get a decentish midfielder. Main sense behind such purchase lies in the line of thinking that the guy will be directly involved in most of our attacks using his creativity to produce goalscoring chances and that by himself he'll frequently contribute to scored goals tally.

You have actually got that totally wrong.

Pogba was signed at the behest of Mourinho so that he could be a "decentish" midfielder and he is using him as such. Whatever perception or preferences fans have as to the capability or best role of Pogba is of little or no relevance in this.

 

[TwoSheds]

If Pogba isn't a central midfielder and he isn't a no.10 (clear from his finishing) what the hell do you think he is? A winger?

The boy has a lot of talent and cost £90m, if he's incapable of becoming a top CM I'd be incredibly surprised. And our coaches must be mad to have signed him.

 

[goin4glory]

433, he's not a wide player.
442, Pogba is wasted in a midfield of 2.
4231, he's neither a 10 nor a targetman.
He's a worldclass player no doubt about that but my usual pessimism isn't allowing to get excited over the prospect of signing him, hopefully I will be wrong though.

He plays as a 10 for Madrid and as a second striker. You don't have to be a target man to play up front. He's exactly what we need.

 

[NoPace]

I agree with that. My issue was the flawed logic whereby if Sánchez was a possible replacement for Mandzukic then Griezmann also was. Or Hazard while we are at it. The whole point of what he does for the team just got lost in the series of "upgrades".

I understand that, though those are pretty big upgrades going forward, so I still think Juve might be better off overall with those guys over Mandzukic. Might mean they have to play more 3-4-3 than 4 at the back in the biggest games so that Alex Sandro has another defender backing him up, but they already seem comfortable with that lineup.

But yeah, if they want to buy a Sanchez instead of Hazard because they think they need workrate on the wing when they play 4 at the back, or even if they want to go with a lesser player, sure.

I do think there's room to find a winger who can defend intelligently and contribute more offensively than Mandzukic. You always have to be trying to get better. Barcelona might have a midfield and be invigorated by a new manager next year, maybe Real will get Mbappe and maybe he'll be Fat Ronaldo, Bayern might look better in year 2 of Ancelotti, who knows. And apart from Mandzukic and getting Higuain a personal trainer and dietitian, it's tough to see where Juve should be looking to spend their transfer money, now that Pjanic looks capable of playing in a 2 man midfield.

 

[Vashu]

You have actually got that totally wrong.

Pogba was signed at the behest of Mourinho so that he could be a "decentish" midfielder and he is using him as such. Whatever perception or preferences fans have as to the capability or best role of Pogba is of little or no relevance in this.

I could have worded it in better way, because he's been brought in by Mourinho and very well that might have been the idea behind it. We're going to have to wait and see.
However if he's supposed to be just a decentish midfielder then it's a straight down idiotic piece of business because the kid is not a Pirlo nor is he a Scholes type of player that would justify such price tag.

 

[Vashu]

If Pogba isn't a central midfielder and he isn't a no.10 (clear from his finishing) what the hell do you think he is? A winger?

The boy has a lot of talent and cost £90m, if he's incapable of becoming a top CM I'd be incredibly surprised. And our coaches must be mad to have signed him.

If that's aimed at me then I did specify that he's a no.10, a.k.a. CAM. Pogba being erratic in front of goal since the record transfer does not erase his career goalscoring records which are 32 goals on club level (league goals only) plus additional 8 for his national team.
But yeah feel free to view him as a defensive midfielder or whomever.

 

[Jib]

If Pogba isn't a central midfielder and he isn't a no.10 (clear from his finishing) what the hell do you think he is? A winger?

Last season he took the number #10 and played with a lot freedom with 2 good DM behind him ( Khedira and Marchisio )

Of course he isn't a CAM like David Silva or a winger like Bale. But he isn't a CM ffs. He's a mix of LM/AM with a good defensive contribution !

Stats last season : 10 goals and 15 assists in 49 games with Juventus.

 

[Jib]

Last season, Mandzukic was the CF in the squad, yet Allegri spent €90m on Pipita, who is a different type of striker from Mandzukic. Allegri changed the formation and tactics to integrate his new pieces and account for Pjanic in place of Pogba.

The formation changed but it's :

Pjanic in place of Marchisio
Higuain in place of Mandzukic
Alves in place of Lichtsteiner
And...Mandzukic in place of Pogba !

 

[TwoSheds]

Last season he took the number #10 and played with a lot freedom with 2 good DM behind him ( Khedira and Marchisio )

Of course he isn't a CAM like David Silva or a winger like Bale. But he isn't a CM ffs. He's a mix of LM/AM with a good defensive contribution !

Stats last season : 10 goals and 15 assists in 49 games with Juventus.

10 goals is not good enough as a no.10. Simple as that. And he was lucky to be playing next to experienced and skilful midfielders like Marchisio who could help make up for his decision making by stepping up at crucial times if it wasn't going his way. He doesn't have that here, Herrera isn't bad but has only scored what 1 goal himself?

15 goals is the minimum an AM needs to be scoring for us if we're only playing with 1 up top unless all the midfielders are capable of chipping in with the goals to help.

 

[Jib]

10 goals is not good enough as a no.10. Simple as that. And he was lucky to be playing next to experienced and skilful midfielders like Marchisio who could help make up for his decision making by stepping up at crucial times if it wasn't going his way.

Nonsense !

Pogba didn't play in the #10 position, he took the number 10.

By the way 10 goals is really good for an AM..look the stats of David Silva, or Ozil...which are "true" #10.

And Marchisio was often injuried. Pogba produced his best performance against Bayern and Claudio wasn't there.

Pogba needed more Bonucci who was the DLP. And with Conte, Marchisio was the 4th midfielder behind Pogba, Vidal and Pirlo...he's overrated.

Right now Pjanic plays in place of Marchisio

In fact Marchisio was lucky to be playing ( when he wasn't on the bench or injuried ) with WC midfielders like Pogba, Vidal, Pirlo and now on a lesser extent Khedira and Pjanic !

But I agree, Marchisio is better than Herrera who is average at best. Marchisio is good ( when he plays ) even if he isn't WC.

 

[Vashu]

Pogba notched up 7 goals and 5 assists this season when he's started 43 games as CM/DM, but only 4 as a CAM. Imagine what his numbers would be like if the proportions were reversed and he'd have support from a well balanced midfield (how many times did Paul hit the woodwork?).
Getting Griezmann only because he'll be available isn't a priority, but a luxury. Our main target should be sorting out the midfield bullshit to accommodate our most talented player who happens to be a world record signing from a year ago. Other targets for reinforcements should be derived from that plan, not vice versa.

 

[Jib]

Pogba notched up 7 goals and 5 assists this season when he's started 43 games as CM/DM, but only 4 as a CAM. Imagine what his numbers would be like if the proportions were reversed and he'd have support from a well balanced midfield (how many times did Paul hit the woodwork?).
Getting Griezmann only because he'll be available isn't a priority, but a luxury. Our main target should be sorting out the midfield bullshit to accommodate our most talented player who happens to be a world record signing from a year ago. Other targets for reinforcements should be derived from that plan, not vice versa.

I fully agree.
We should build the team around Pogba.
Not playing him out of position !

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

Pogba notched up 7 goals and 5 assists this season when he's started 43 games as CM/DM, but only 4 as a CAM. Imagine what his numbers would be like if the proportions were reversed and he'd have support from a well balanced midfield (how many times did Paul hit the woodwork?).
Getting Griezmann only because he'll be available isn't a priority, but a luxury. Our main target should be sorting out the midfield bullshit to accommodate our most talented player who happens to be a world record signing from a year ago. Other targets for reinforcements should be derived from that plan, not vice versa.

We need goals though and Griezmann is one of the most lethal strikers. I wouldn't trust our current players to score 70+ goals in the league, which is what we need to have a chance at winning it.

 

[Grylte]

433, he's not a wide player.
442, Pogba is wasted in a midfield of 2.
4231, he's neither a 10 nor a targetman.
He's a worldclass player no doubt about that but my usual pessimism isn't allowing to get excited over the prospect of signing him, hopefully I will be wrong though.

I don't follow La Liga, so i haven't seen much of him, but curious to which formation he can play in, if he can't play in those.
A world class player must be able to play in most formations, don't you think?
If Jomo decides to sign him, i'm sure he's aware of what he can do and not.

 

[Berbaclass]

It will all make sense when you see him do the Hotline Bling away at Anfield.

 

[Raoul]

Just imagine....

 

[Berbaclass]

Just imagine....

I've been imagining that exact thing for a long time now

 

[antohan]

I don't follow La Liga, so i haven't seen much of him, but curious to which formation he can play in, if he can't play in those.
A world class player must be able to play in most formations, don't you think?
If Mourinho decides to sign him, i'm sure he's aware of what he can do and not.

A World Class player is usually able to play different roles and formations but will never perform as the WC player he is in all of them.

I'm not even a regular in the Sanchez thread, but I would bet my left nut he would be a better fit for us than Griezmann.

It's a shame we are piling up midgets. I would love to see a 4-3-3 with Griezmann through the middle and more powerful/physical players either side (like Madrid have with Bale/Cristiano) than this "replace Ibra with Lukaku" stuff.

 

[cheeky_backheel]

The formation changed but it's :

Pjanic in place of Marchisio
Higuain in place of Mandzukic
Alves in place of Lichtsteiner
And...Mandzukic in place of Pogba !

That is just wrong and you cant really talk of direct replacements except for Pjanic for Pogba as the primary playmaker and Huguin for Pipita as the main CF


Last season (and since the days of Conte), Juventus played 3-5-2

This season, after trying to maintain 3-5-2 and experimenting with 4-3-3/4-4-2, Allegri switched to 4-2-3-1 with Alves in place of Lichtsteiner, Pjanic replaced Pogba in the midfield, Higauin replaced Manzukic as the CF while Mandzukic was moved to the flank (pushing Sandro backwards) and cuadrado is still on the right flank. Barzaghli was dropped from the back 3 while Marchisio is often injured so they dropped from a midfield 3 to a midfield 2.

For more details, see
https://defendingwiththeball.wordpress.com/2016/04/23/analysis-allegris-structured-3-5-2/
http://www.blackwhitereadallover.co...3-5-2-formation-2016-serie-a-champions-league
http://www.blackwhitereadallover.co...s-coaching-philosophy-team-management-tactics

 

[Jib]

That is just wrong and you cant really talk of direct replacements except for Pjanic for Pogba as the primary playmaker and Huguin for Pipita as the main CF

Last season Juventus often played in 352 and sometimes in 442.

I think that you agree with me that the 442 is quite close to 4231.

Juventus 442 ( last season )

Juventus 4231 ( this season )

That's what I said and all the fans of Juventus would agree with me. If Pogba hadn't left, he would play on the left side instead of Mandzukic.

Pjanic doesn't replace Pogba. It was even expected that the two would play together. Pjanic signed in June 2016, Pogba left in August 2016 and the money of his transfer was used to buy Higuain.

Pogba has never played in a midfield 2 at Juventus. He was considered by Allegri as an AM like Roberto Pereyra. Not a CM ( Khedira/Hernanes/Sturaro ) or worse a DM ( Marchisio/Lemina )

 

[Grylte]

Interesting how a thread about Griezmann turned into a discussion about Juve's formations

 

[cheeky_backheel]

Last season Juventus often played in 352 and sometimes in 442.

I think that you agree with me that the 442 is quite close to 4231.

Juventus 442 ( last season )

Juventus 4231 ( this season )

That's what I said and all the fans of Juventus would agree with me. If Pogba hadn't left, he would play on the left side instead of Mandzukic.

Pjanic doesn't replace Pogba. It was even expected that the two would play together. Pjanic signed in June 2016, Pogba left in August 2016 and the money of his transfer was used to buy Higuain.

Pogba has never played in a midfield 2 at Juventus. He was considered by Allegri as an AM like Roberto Pereyra. Not a CM ( Khedira/Hernanes/Sturaro ) or worse a DM ( Marchisio/Lemina )

Just becuase you want something to be true does not make it true. A 4-4-2 is nothing like a 4-2-3-1. The player distribution between attack and midfield are just totally different.

Almost everyone knew that Pogba was leaving Juventus last summer and the only question was Madrid vs United. Pjanic was bought in anticipation of that.

I never said Pogba play in a midfield 2, but he was the LCM in a midfield trio with Khedira as the RCM and Marchisio at the base of the triumvirate in a 3-5-2. Pogba was not an AM. AMs do not drop back deep to get the ball from the defence.

One can easily find various articles online that show that Juventus played most of their games last season in a 3-5-2 and Pogba was not an AM. You probably can find a fan that agrees with you but I doubt you would find anyone knowledgeable about football that would agree with your proposal to play Pogba on the flank in 4-2-3-1

Reference: http://spielverlagerung.com/2016/05/11/juventus-controlled-offense/

Under Allegri, the same Pogba has shown his versatility by dropping deep towards the centre backs in the build-up or floating through the left half-space to receive the ball with the team in possession of the ball. Pogba often does contribute to their build-up by dropping deep alongside Marchisio and by creating a passing lane between him and the centre-backs in the way to receive the ball when Marchisio is covered by the opponents. His level of play strongly increased under Allegri’s tutelage. Pogba became a more complete player, adding playmaking abilities to his resume. He scored seven goals this season, creating 50 chances and 12 assists.

As it happened in the first Champions League leg against Bayern’s Guardiola, it is not so infrequent to see Allegri organise his side in a 4-4-2 or in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Playing with two blocks of four, the two forwards generally have to cover any early passes across the middle, while Pogba retains a position as left midfielder. On the right side, Lichtsteiner acts as a conventional winger, with Barzagli behind him. That being said, this 4-4-2 is still a very fluid shape as one of the main movement includes Pogba floating through the middle in the first and second build-up phase with the left-back pushing forward. So Juventus rotate into something resembling their usual 3-5-2.

That said, this system still allows Juventus to often regain possession through tackles and the centre-backs’ individual man-marking skills. Another key point of Juventus’ defence is their fluid structure. Within their system, Juventus move out from their base 3-5-2/5-3-2 into a situational 4-4-2 shape as Lichtsteiner step up to join the three central midfielders in the second line of defence. When this is the case, Barzagli moves towards the touchline, providing stability as a right-back. On the other side, the left wing-back usually moves down and plays deeper when the ball is on the right flank.

When the ball is on the left side, the left central midfielder has to cover the flank, although Pogba isn’t so comfortable in defending wide areas. Fort instance, that was the main reason that led Allegri to put the French midfielder into the right half-space against Milan, introducing Kwadwo Asamoah to cover the flank against Sinisa Mihajlovic’s wing-orientated 4-4-2 system.

Another Reference http://www.espnfc.us/club/juventus/...t-to-settle-into-paul-pogba-role-for-juventus

Loyal to the 3-5-2 formation the following year, Allegri built the side around the beauty of Paul Pogba. With Claudio Marchisio doing the dirty work and Sami Khedira running back and forth with intelligence, Pogba's ability to carry the ball forward rapidly coupled with his vision and desire to participate in attacking moves ensured balance. Athletic and quick, he needed the 3-5-2 formation as much as it needed him.

The Frenchman's departure was not mourned as Miralem Pjanic arrived in his place and many imagined he would provide the quality required to ensure a smooth transition. Except he hasn't much to the chagrin of regular watchers. This is partly down to him and partly down to Allegri.

Unless you can provide some clear evidence and/or references in support of your claims, there is really no point in continue this debate

 

[Jib]

Just becuase you want something to be true does not make it true. A 4-4-2 is nothing like a 4-2-3-1. The player distribution between attack and midfield are just totally different.

Almost everyone knew that Pogba was leaving Juventus last summer and the only question was Madrid vs United. Pjanic was bought in anticipation of that.

I never said Pogba play in a midfield 2, but he was the LCM in a midfield trio with Khedira as the RCM and Marchisio at the base of the triumvirate in a 3-5-2. Pogba was not an AM. AMs do not drop back deep to get the ball from the defence.

Nonsense. But I agree, there is really no point in continue this debate with someone who doesnt watch games.

I let people decide between many pictures/mediocre articles and this video that summarizes the whole 2015-2016 season of Pogba.



He was a LCM in the true 352 of Conte ( 2012-2014 with Vidal as RCM and Pirlo as DLP ).

The 352 of last season was a 352 only on the paper because Pogba had a lot of freedom. This system was built for Pogba ( it's why Allegri stopped it this season ).

His role was to be a mix of LM/AM with a good defensive contribution and the CM ( Khedira ) and the DM ( Marchisio ) played behind him with Bonucci as false DLP. That's why he took the #10 ( offensive role ) and his stats hugely improved last season.

 

[Lawman]

433, he's not a wide player.
442, Pogba is wasted in a midfield of 2.
4231, he's neither a 10 nor a targetman.
He's a worldclass player no doubt about that but my usual pessimism isn't allowing to get excited over the prospect of signing him, hopefully I will be wrong though.

442 diamond Griezmann could play 2 positions.

Rashford Martial/Griezmann
Griezmann
Pogba. Herrera
Silva
------------------------------------

433 he could play 2 positions with both men in behind the striker roaming.

Griezmann/Rashford
Griezmann Mykytarin
Pogba. Herrera
Silva
--------------------------------------
4231

Griezmann could play in any the front 4 positions.

We could also play 4411 to suit him and Pogba or Griezmann would not be hampered in the majority of these formations. If we think Pogba is best in a 3 fine we can do that. If we think Griezmann is best as behind the striker we can do that also and not hamper either player. If we get a chance at this kid we should grab it with both hands he's that good.

 

[finneh]

---Fabinho -- Herrera---
---------Pogba---------

With that formation you need a front three that will score you 60-65 goals between them in the Premier League alone, as the midfield might get you 10 if you're lucky.

Unless we're planning to buy the front three from Madrid or Barcelona I don't see that formation as a viable title winning first XI, except in the most difficult games.

Where are the goals going to come from with Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Rashford & Lingard... Or are you advocating buying half a new team?

 

[TwoSheds]

Nonsense !

Pogba didn't play in the #10 position, he took the number 10.

By the way 10 goals is really good for an AM..look the stats of David Silva, or Ozil...which are "true" #10.

And Marchisio was often injuried. Pogba produced his best performance against Bayern and Claudio wasn't there.

Pogba needed more Bonucci who was the DLP. And with Conte, Marchisio was the 4th midfielder behind Pogba, Vidal and Pirlo...he's overrated.

Right now Pjanic plays in place of Marchisio

In fact Marchisio was lucky to be playing ( when he wasn't on the bench or injuried ) with WC midfielders like Pogba, Vidal, Pirlo and now on a lesser extent Khedira and Pjanic !

But I agree, Marchisio is better than Herrera who is average at best. Marchisio is good ( when he plays ) even if he isn't WC.

Ok Marchisio wasn't specifically the point, the point was that he played almost exclusively with experienced, talented midfielders capable of stepping up and contributing.

And Özil and Silva almost exclusively play on the wing in England so I'm not sure they're such brilliant examples.

 

[Fracture90]

This thread has more pages than some threads back in "Players Performances" sub-forum.

 

[Vashu]

We need goals though and Griezmann is one of the most lethal strikers. I wouldn't trust our current players to score 70+ goals in the league, which is what we need to have a chance at winning it.

Which is why we need to get the summer transfer window right. With Ibra injured we ought to get another striker, but does Anotine meet all requirements of a optional lone attacker leading the line with his lightweight muscle build and midget height? For me these elements coupled with hiked up price make up for an investment of high risk.

With that formation you need a front three that will score you 60-65 goals between them in the Premier League alone, as the midfield might get you 10 if you're lucky.

Unless we're planning to buy the front three from Madrid or Barcelona I don't see that formation as a viable title winning first XI, except in the most difficult games.

Where are the goals going to come from with Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Rashford & Lingard... Or are you advocating buying half a new team?

It's success would depend on versatility of Herrera and to be more precise whether he'd be able to recapture the attacking form he's shown in his first season with us, but afterwards not so much.

Regarding the front three I'd say 50-55 goals from them would be a reasonable minimum and of course it'd need a revamp. We shoud bring in 1 or 2 new strikers plus a winger. Let's say we'd bring in Belotti with Dzeko.

----Fabinho ---------- Herrera----
--------------Pogba---------------
Mkhitaryan---------------Rashford/LW
-----------Belotti/Dzeko----------

You could throw in Mata for Pogba to make it 4-4-2 on some occasions. So, would you deny them the chances of winning the league and reaching those aforementioned targets?

 

[2 man midfield]

With that formation you need a front three that will score you 60-65 goals between them in the Premier League alone, as the midfield might get you 10 if you're lucky.

Unless we're planning to buy the front three from Madrid or Barcelona I don't see that formation as a viable title winning first XI, except in the most difficult games.

Where are the goals going to come from with Mata, Mkhitaryan, Martial, Rashford & Lingard... Or are you advocating buying half a new team?

That's probably going to be the midfield though, isn't it? If not Fabinho then another defensive player.

 

[goin4glory]

Pogba/Herrera with a holding CM behind them has shown they won't score enough goals to justify the type of system. I understand people think signing Griezmann will take Pogba from his preferred position but we gain far more as a side with Griezmann as a 10 and Pogba/Herrera behind than a holder and those 2 pushed forward.

 

[Vashu]

Pogba/Herrera with a holding CM behind them has shown they won't score enough goals to justify the type of system. I understand people think signing Griezmann will take Pogba from his preferred position but we gain far more as a side with Griezmann as a 10 and Pogba/Herrera behind than a holder and those 2 pushed forward.

When it has been shown as such given that Pogba has played as a CAM 4 times this season while their other midfield partner was either Fellaini or 35 years old Carrick?!

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

Which is why we need to get the summer transfer window right. With Ibra injured we ought to get another striker, but does Anotine meet all requirements of a optional lone attacker leading the line with his lightweight muscle build and midget height? For me these elements coupled with hiked up price make up for an investment of high risk.

We should buy him to play him behind a new striker. As long as we pair him up with some good fast-combination footballers he will be great for us.

 

[Vashu]

We should buy him to play him behind a new striker. As long as we pair him up with some good fast-combination footballers he will be great for us.

Which would mean bulldozing Pogba away from the final third where he's best. Two extremely expensive marquee signings shouldn't be canceling each other out.

 

[Ishdalar]

Which is why we need to get the summer transfer window right. With Ibra injured we ought to get another striker, but does Anotine meet all requirements of a optional lone attacker leading the line with his lightweight muscle build and midget height? For me these elements coupled with hiked up price make up for an investment of high risk.

Certainly, Griezmann lacks some requirements to work as a lone striker, but if you have him as a second striker or wide player, it makes easier looking for a striker and you can choose more limited ones.

A guy like him can enable guys like Belotti, Mandzukic, Dzeko or Bas Dost, feed them a lot of goals while covering for the deficiencies in their game. The other way around would be signing a top class striker that could work with a worse second striker/front three (Mbappe? Lukaku?) and there's not much of them out there, they'd be almost as expensive (if not more) than Griezmann

 

[goin4glory]

When it has been shown as such given that Pogba has played as a CAM 4 times this season while their other midfield partner was either Fellaini or 35 years old Carrick?!

Where did you get the 4 times this season number? He has never once got into double figures for goalscoring in his career despite playing in a far better Juventus team and Carrick playing at DM in a midfield 3 is actually bonus in the attacking sense since his distribution and passing range is better than 90%+ of other DMs.

 

[Vashu]

Certainly, Griezmann lacks some requirements to work as a lone striker, but if you have him as a second striker or wide player, it makes easier looking for a striker and you can choose more limited ones.

A guy like him can enable guys like Belotti, Mandzukic, Dzeko or Bas Dost, feed them a lot of goals while covering for the deficiencies in their game. The other way around would be signing a top class striker that could work with a worse second striker/front three (Mbappe? Lukaku?) and there's not much of them out there, they'd be almost as expensive (if not more) than Griezmann

Griezmann playing as a second striker IMO interferes with Poggy and going with the winger role does it really make sense to spend £85 million to play him in an unpreferred position, because for the last 3 years he's been playing solely as a striker.
Yep, it's a hard market that's why I'd go with double acquisition of a younger striker with potential as well as a senior one with pedigree and presence which would still save us tens of millions in comparison to this thread's theme transfer.

Where did you get the 4 times this season number? He has never once got into double figures for goalscoring in his career despite playing in a far better Juventus team and Carrick playing at DM in a midfield 3 is actually bonus in the attacking sense since his distribution and passing range is better than 90%+ of other DMs.

It's from whoscored. Pogba was progressing nicely at Juventus and stats prove this point. You've got that double figures wrong, because in 14/15 and 15/16 seasons he's recorded 10 goals each time. Add to it 6, then 16 assists (note that in 14/15 Paul was injured for 2 months) and you do get a proper offensive midfielder.
Carrick's help amounts to little when Pogba is getting instructed to sit deep.

 

[Adisa]

433, he's not a wide player.
442, Pogba is wasted in a midfield of 2.
4231, he's neither a 10 nor a targetman.
He's a worldclass player no doubt about that but my usual pessimism isn't allowing to get excited over the prospect of signing him, hopefully I will be wrong though.

Some of his best performances for us have come in a midfield 2.

 

[Jib]

And Özil and Silva almost exclusively play on the wing in England so I'm not sure they're such brilliant examples.

Pogba too last season

 

[ovoxo]

I personally don't see the point in playing 4-3-3 in majority of games where we'll have majority possession anyway. We'd need too many goals from the front 3, think BBC or MSN. It's better to bring in Griezmann and a Striker to play off each other. Pogba has played well in a midfield 2, and to be fair, he'll be moving whilst Herrera or whoever will be holding. In the big games, we'll absolutely go 4-3-3.

 

[finneh]

It's success would depend on versatility of Herrera and to be more precise whether he'd be able to recapture the attacking form he's shown in his first season with us, but afterwards not so much.

Regarding the front three I'd say 50-55 goals from them would be a reasonable minimum and of course it'd need a revamp. We shoud bring in 1 or 2 new strikers plus a winger. Let's say we'd bring in Belotti with Dzeko.

----Fabinho ---------- Herrera----
--------------Pogba---------------
Mkhitaryan---------------Rashford/LW
-----------Belotti/Dzeko----------

You could throw in Mata for Pogba to make it 4-4-2 on some occasions. So, would you deny them the chances of winning the league and reaching those aforementioned targets?

I don't think you can rely on Herrera to score goals from that deep. His goal tally under LVG was based on him playing as a number 10.

I still can't see where your goals are coming from. Mkhitaryam/Rashford from the wide positions might get 15 goals between them in the league. Belotti might get 20 goals in the league. Pogba, Herrera, Fabinho might get 15 between them.

So your starting XI has maybe 50 goals (maybe 55 including defenders) out of the required 75 minimum.

That's probably going to be the midfield though, isn't it? If not Fabinho then another defensive player.

I disagree - I think in the majority of easier games we'll have (signings permitted) a 2 man midfield of Pogba and either Fabinho or Herrera with Griezmann in front.