Didier Deschamps: 'Paul Pogba must turn focus back to France duties'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 19 March 2018

Deschamps: 'Pogba must turn focus to France'

Didier Deschamps is unsure what is behind Paul Pogba's loss of form for Manchester United, but urges the midfielder to now focus on France's upcoming friendlies.

France manager Didier Deschamps has revealed that he intends to hold talks with Paul Pogba over his loss of form at Manchester United.

The £89m midfielder has been left out of the starting lineup for each of the Red Devils' last three matches after falling out of favour under Jose Mourinho.

Pogba is a part of France's 25-man squad for the friendlies against Colombia and Russia, though, and Deschamps admits to being concerned about the 25-year-old's current mindset.

"I don't know what [is wrong]. I'm sure I'll hear about it. Of course, it's a situation he won't be enjoying," he told reporters on Monday afternoon. "As to why or how things came to this, there may be many reasons. I have a great deal of talks with players at our training camps, to gauge their feelings. It's not just Paul.

"But that's what I told [the squad] at midday: what happened at the weekend and before is no longer on the agenda. We have to focus on Russia and Colombia. That's part of our job as coaches.

"Obviously, this is a situation he won't appreciate in relation to everything he's done. There can be many, varied reasons. He can't be happy with what he's going through with his club."

Agent Mino Raiola is reportedly in the process of seeking a new club for Pogba, who has three goals and nine assists in 19 Premier League appearances this term.