Questioned this Friday at a press conference, Roberto De Zerbi, the coach of Olympique de Marseille, spoke about the Paul Pogba file. “I would like us to only have champions in the squad. Pogba is a champion,” he declared. However, he quickly tempered this enthusiasm: “We never talked about it honestly in our discussions. In January, we have to find players for our needs.”
De Zerbi, between openness and skepticism
This double posture fuels speculation. On the one hand, De Zerbi praises the player’s qualities, describing him as a “champion”. On the other hand, he insists on the priorities of the transfer window, which may not include the French environment.
The vagueness maintained by the coach finds an echo in the recent statements of Mehdi Benatia, OM sports advisor : “Paul knows the esteem we have for him, but we have to know if it is a real need for us.”
De Zerbi maintains the mystery around Pogba
Pogba, a dream that divides
Even Pablo Longoria, the Marseille president, made cautious remarks. If Pogba is “an exceptional player”Longoria recalled that his arrival is more of a
“speculation than reality”. The doubt lies as much in the physical state of the player as in his ability to quickly integrate into the squad.
Strategy or real uncertainty?
Between praise and reservations, OM seems to want to keep all its options open. The caution displayed by De Zerbi and his entourage could be a way of gauging public opinion or delaying a complex issue. For now, Pogba remains a distant dream, but not completely unattainable.
