Paul Pogba

Didier Deschamps says the expectations on Paul Pogba are too high

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:36 p.m. ET

Aaron West

France manager Didier Deschamps has defended struggling Manchester United star Paul Pogba after a tough start to life back at Old Trafford.

Manchester United's record-high signing is with France for the international break, and Deschamps talked about his young midfielder during a news conference at Les Bleus' Clairefontaine training center: "He has changed his club team and needs to find his bearing with his new teammates. With Paul, we always expect more. When he does something neutral, often it is not enough.

"He is someone we expect to make assists in every game -- there is an expectation that is too large," he added. "Paul is OK in his own head. He knows what he wants."

Deschamps knows the struggle Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho faces to get the best out of Pogba. Like Mourinho has for United, Deschamps used Pogba in a double-pivot midfield this summer during the European Championships, and was unable to coax the best out of his ultra-versatile midfielder in that deep-lying role.

Said Deschamps: "He moved to another club with a new team. For several years in Turin he got used to playing in a very specific system. Like any player he needs to find his way alongside his new team-mates. We always expect more from Paul. It's a good thing in a way."

Following his record move from Juventus, expectations are incredibly high for the Frenchman. And they should be. He's a world class player, and he simply hasn't shown it on the pitch, despite all the deafening roar surrounding his off-the-field actions.

The good thing for Pogba though, is that there's still plenty of time. His quality is undeniable. Eventually, the old saying "form is temporary, class is permanent" should ring true, and Pogba will find his feet. For right now though, he needs to start playing better.

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