Paris: Far away seem the days when Paul Pogba was praised for the mature displays that helped France win the World Cup.
For the Manchester United midfielder, the euphoria that engulfed French players following their title lasted only a few weeks as he fell out with coach Jose Mourinho on his return to Old Trafford.
Pogba’s relationship with Mourinho has been complicated since his return to United in 2016. But it reached its nadir last month when Pogba was stripped of the vice-captaincy at the club and then appeared to have a spat with Mourinho at training.
"I don’t want to interfere with the relationship that he, or any other player, could have with his coach. But given the situation of some [players] in their clubs, the breath of fresh air brought by the France team can do them good."
- Didier Deschamps | France coach
Following a poor start to the season, United are under pressure and Pogba’s future there seems uncertain amid reports he could leave.
Such concerns are irrelevant when Pogba plays with his national team, and the international break is likely to provide solace to a player regarded as indispensable by France coach Didier Deschamps.
Pogba joined his teammates at France’s training ground ahead of Thursday’s friendly game against Iceland. France, who beat Croatia in the World Cup final in July, host Germany in the Uefa Nations League on October 16 at Stade de France.
“I don’t want to interfere with the relationship that he, or any other player, could have with his coach,” Deschamps said. “But given the situation of some (players) in their clubs, the breath of fresh air brought by the France team can do them good.”
Often criticised for his laid-back approach, Pogba took more responsibilities in France during the World Cup and is now regarded as a proper team leader. Pogba is crediting Deschamps, who uses him on the pitch in a less restricted role than Mourinho, for his positive influence.
“I have a very good relationship with the coach, he speaks straight to me,” Pogba said.
Other matches:
Here is a look at other talking points ahead of this week’s international matches:
The last time Croatia played England was in the packed Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in a World Cup semi-final match. When they meet in the Croatian coastal city of Rijeka on Friday, there will be no fans.
Croatia is completing a stadium ban imposed by Uefa in 2015 when a swastika was painted on their field ahead of a game.
Italy are in desperate need of a victory at Poland on Sunday to avoid more embarrassment after failing to qualify for the last World Cup.
The Azzurri already sit last in their Nations League group with only one point and one goal scored from their opening two matches — a 1-1 draw with Poland and a 1-0 loss to Portugal.
Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne is being tapped for a false No. 9 role amid a series of problems for the usual centre forwards.
Mario Balotelli and Andrea Belotti have been dropped due to poor form while Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza have struggled with the national team.
Fallen champs rebuild
Germany are still searching for their way back after a terrible World Cup defence in Russia. Joachim Low’s squad drew 0-0 with France last month in a game in Munich that did little to assure fans they will be challenging again for titles anytime soon.
If anything, the game just highlighted the absence of Mesut Ozil, who retired from international football after feeling he was made the scapegoat for the German team’s disappointing performances in Russia. While Low wanted his side to display more defensive stability, they failed to convince going forward.
Low experimented with five changes in the subsequent 2-1 friendly win over Peru, but the pressure is on to show real progress is being made in the games against the Netherlands and France.
With Cristiano Ronaldo out again, Portugal’s attack will be relying on Andre Silva, the Sevilla striker who has been thriving in the Spanish league.
Silva, playing on a loan from AC Milan, has seven goals in eight league matches so far. Silva scored Portugal’s winner in the 1-0 win over Italy in the team’s Nations League debut and is set to start in the match at Poland on Friday. Ronaldo hasn’t played for Portugal since the World Cup and isn’t expected to be back until next year.
Spain will be depleted when they host England on Monday with a chance to practically secure a spot in the Nations League’s final four.
Some key players will be absent because of injuries, including Isco, Dani Carvajal, Sergi Roberto and Diego Costa.
