Juventus beat Euro giants to Pogba

by DeviAngel Mon Jan 21, 2013 5:36 pm

The agent of Paul Pogba says that Juventus beat the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid for his client.

The teenager moved to the Turin giants in the summer on a free transfer after his contract at Manchester United expired.

On Saturday night, he scored a stunning brace as the Old Lady defeated Udinese 4-0 in Turin.

“His display was pleasing, but I already knew that he had certain skills,” Mino Raiola told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I agree with Juventus boss Antonio Conte, to eulogise about him now makes no sense.

“He’s shown that he has potential, but he must work, he must strengthen physically and grow by keeping his feet on the ground.

“Then he could become one of the best players in the world in his position. Like all great players, his only limitation is himself.

“Who else wanted him? Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and other English clubs. Inter? Yes, but they agreed to respect an agreement with Manchester United.”

The 19-year-old has four goals in 13 League games so far this season, eight appearances of which came from the first minute.

“I don’t know what Sir Alex Ferguson may have thought on Saturday,” Raiola added. “Maybe he underestimated his mental strength.

“When Paul understood that he wasn’t being enhanced, he decided that it was over in Manchester. He felt that a move away would do him good.”

Pogba was fielded as an alternative to Andrea Pirlo at the weekend, but his versatility allows him to be used in a variety of ways.

“He can play instead of Pirlo, but also as an inside midfielder or even as a centre-back at the end of his career like Frank Rijkaard.

“He has great tactical awareness. And what he is doing at Juventus is thanks to Conte who isn’t scared to play youngsters.”

Raiola was also asked how he would describe his client given that he compared Mario Balotelli, another of his players, to the Mona Lisa.

“Pogba is like a Dali painting. Works of art are rare and are worth a lot because people appreciate them. Paul is one of them.”