Can we replace Paul Pogba?

By Josh Coleman, published on 09/08/21

Amid the constant rumours surrounding Paul Pogba, it is all now seemingly coming to a head. In the final year of his contract, it isn't yet confirmed whether he will stay, or if he will go. This begs the question for United, a World Cup Winner with undoubtedly World Class attributes, can he be replaced?

To discuss what we need to replace, we need to discuss what he brings to the table. He is technically one of the best in the world, an outstanding creator and a leader in the dressing room. Pogba has the capability to make things happen, to make outrageous passes and score fantastic goals even when it isn't in the run of play, such as his strike against West Ham last season to level the scoreline. Then pushing us to go on to win the game. The names floating around to replace him are Neves, Camavinga, Saul and Rice. Using FBref.com’s stats, I will be comparing Pogba to these players and how they each in their own individual way replace Paul Pogba.

Firstly, I will be looking at Paul Pogba in comparison to the Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves. The Portuguese midfielder has long been part of the Wolves squad, and was a crucial player in their promotion to the Premier League in the 2017/18 season. Something that stands Ruben Neves above all the other candidates, is his ability to produce moments of magic.

Neves has made a name for himself in England for scoring outrageous goals, breaking onto the scene after his volley against Derby in 2018. He also has a very keen eye for a pass, regularly playing long and ‘eye of the needle’ passes. Ruben Neves however, doesn’t have stats that are anywhere near what Paul Pogba has. With Neves only beating him on shots taken p90, passes p90, and pass completion %. However, p90 stats don’t always show an accurate representation of players. Due to Man Utd having much more possession, it is natural that Pogba has more of the ball so would have more output, so it is fair to assume that should Neves join us, his stats would likely inflate as a result. While not necessarily being like for like, he would play in the same role as Paul Pogba in the pivot, and due to having much better defensive stats, Neves could arguably be a better fit in the side.

Similarly, Eduardo Camavinga has also far less superior stats to that of Paul Pogba, and while his stats would too likely inflate, it is also unlikely to match that of Paul Pogba. However it is worth noting that Camavinga does somewhat compete with Pogba, with his progression. Making 1.98 dribbles per game, and 6.43 carries per game, Camavinga has a very similar direct play while on the ball. However, his passing is not so progressive. Making almost half the progressive passes of Paul Pogba. Despite this, his passing accuracy is much better, at 89% to Pogba’s 83%.

I would argue that Camavinga is the most similar replacement for Paul that we could sign, with much of his attributes being very similar to that of his. In signing Camavinga, though, you get a much better defensive player, and less of a creator, but a solid box to box midfielder who you can rely on to keep possession for you. This could also be a very good fit for the side, we would plug holes at the back where we see Pogba sometimes struggle when under pressure, but would gain this at the expense of much less attacking output.

For Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid, and Declan Rice of West Ham, we would likely see less of a replacement, but more the signing of either of these two would present a different formation or at least different dynamics. This is due to excelling in their respective defensive attributes. Rice being the more of an out and out holding midfielder, and Saul being a defensive leaning central midfielder. Starting with Rice, he has displayed excellent ability in being the last man in midfield. A key part of England’s run in the Euros as he was a physical presence, time after time quashing counter attacks as they came. This in turn allowed England's forwards to express their ability without as many limitations of defensive responsibility. This could be key for United, and would allow Ole to add an extra attacking threat into midfield such as Donny Van de Beek, or even allow either Fred or McTominay to play a much more active role in attacking play.

Saul would unlikely be placed in the single defensive midfield role. Saul on the other hand would likely be part of a midfield two in a pivot. A very good ball player and is also particularly strong in defence. Making 2.86 tackles per game, and 1.88 blocks per game, Saul can be considered a very good option. Playing alongside Koke in midfield, Saul has allowed Koke to express himself and be a creative force in the Atletico midfield. We could see the same kind of effect on players like Donny Van de Beek who would be given the extra bit of freedom that he needs to get forward into attacking spaces. Another huge factor for Saul is that he is a proven league winner, being part of the Madrid side that went on to win La Liga means that Saul knows what it takes to win in a top European league. This gives him experience that no other of Utd’s midfield candidates have.

So as to the question, is Paul Pogba replaceable? It truly depends on what you would define as replacement. While Pogba is undoubtedly a world class talent, and a like for like replacement you could argue is impossible, the replacement of Paul Pogba would not be signing another Paul Pogba, but signing someone who will complete the midfield puzzle instead. For example, signing Declan Rice or Ruben Neves would allow us to properly utilise our whole squad. Paul Pogba has found himself tactically out of the midfield, hence we saw him move out to the wings in the latter stages of last season. So therefore we don’t need to ‘replace’ Paul Pogba as such as we would then be signing someone who doesn't necessarily fit, but we would be signing someone who would become a much better fit in the team, and make the side a much better force overall.

I would argue as a result, that we can't outright replace Paul Pogba as a player, due to him being one of the most technically gifted players in the world. As a team, however, we can live without him, and with the right business can go on to be a tactically better overall unit without him.