Borys
Statistics Wizard
I really have no idea who we can sign, I'm not deep into transfer rumors and I only watch United games. But if we can get an upgrade on Fred, then we are a better team right away (we usually struggle against top 6, and Pogba doesn't play in midfield against those anyway). I'm sure we can get an upgrade on Fred. Tielemans would be perfect, but probably someone in that mold.I maintain that in a very high percentage of games he can play in a two so long as his partner is specifically a DM who has legs and a good engine to sweep up. We don’t have that.
Particularly when you factor in our improved CB pairing. McFred exists in part to protect Lindelof, it’s one of the reasons that highlights the difficulty in pairing Pogba with any of the current midfield options, as we don’t have a DM capable of covering Lindelof and Pogba when the latter wants to implement his skill set going forwards.
One issue is corrected with Varane, allowing us to push up the pitch more, this is a vital step in our progression on the pitch with or without Pogba imo. But if fixes one issue for Pogba, partner him with a top DM (we need one anyway) and I believe that’s more than adequate to play against 90% of teams.
Also who do we sign that is more talented and capable than Pogba? Who?
There are next to zero players who have his skill set, he’s a unique mix. He can also cover for Bruno for rotation and injury, let’s face it if Bruno is injured we are in sh*t street creatively from midfield.
To me it’s harder to replace him than supplement him (and make the most of him)… and that’s me thinking of the team first and foremost, not Pogba. Again in my opinion I think the club are thinking along the same lines.
Anyway, I want to have a midfielder who will be the core of the team against both the weakest teams and the strongest teams, I see no point in having a player like Pogba who like you say is not adequate to play in midfield against top 10% of opponents (and I'd agree on that estimation). This is where we struggled last season, not against minor teams.