The unseemly wrangle over Paul Pogba's transfer from Le Havre to Manchester United was finally resolved last week, after an undisclosed agreement was reached following his move in July 2009. This was a relief after the last similar saga, involving Gael Kakuta, but as with Chelsea's French prodigy, spoke volumes of a coveted young prospect. So what can the Premier League expect from its latest young import from across the Channel?
Pogba was spotted by Le Havre's chief scout Franck Sale in his home district of Sarcelles, in the suburbs of northern Paris, at the age of 13. Sale wasted little time in recruiting him to the much-vaunted academy that has produced the likes of Vikash Dhorasoo and Charles N'Zogbia in the past. "I was impressed by his attitude," Sale told Goal.com. "He was already like a footballer and had great game intelligence for his age."
Current academy director Frederic Lipka arrived at the club when Pogba was 14, and the youngster made a similarly immediate impression on his new boss. "I was sure of the quality that I was seeing," he said to Goal.com. "He was a player who was already very efficient at a very young age. There were others that were also good, but the amount by which he was progressing was striking. Straight away, I thought when he reached 17 or 18, he would be ready to step up to the top level."
What was it that made Pogba a cut above his peers? "The quality of his technique and his size," said Lipka. "He was still growing, he was still developing as an athlete, and he was still uncovering his full technical potential."
These strides were quickly recognised at national level, with Pogba making his debut for France under-16s at the age of 15. His impressive displays at junior international level had already begun to garner comparisons with similarly robust France midfielders.
These strides were quickly recognised at national level, with Pogba making his debut for France under-16s at the age of 15. His impressive displays at junior international level had already begun to garner comparisons with similarly robust France midfielders.
"You can see a mix of [Patrick] Vieira and [Abou] Diaby in Pogba," observed Sale, "a powerful and commanding player who is still good at moving with the ball and dribbling."
Lipka agreed. "Absolutely. They have the same style. The difference between him and Vieira at that age - and I didn't know Patrick Vieira at that age - might be in terms of mentality. On the pitch, Pogba's a player who takes responsibility, who dictates. He leads the play, and he's a leader of men."
Pogba's tough streak on the pitch masked an approachable side which made him a popular pupil at the academy, according to Lipka. "He was a charming lad when he was at our academy, very likeable," he said. "He was emotional when he left, because he felt good here and was leaving into the great unknown. I hope he goes in at a good level, because he is going to do great things. On a human level, I have memories of a very likeable boy. There were never any problems with him. He has a great attitude."
His departure was perhaps inevitable, as he garnered accolades for his displays with France's under-17 side, pushing himself ever further forward as the sort of strong central midfielder that Ligue 1 seems to tailor-make for the Premier League nowadays. Lipka hopes that the big move hasn't come too soon for him.
"The problem is his departure wasn't expected," Lipka lamented. "It's a shame that the Manchester United machine came knocking on the door, because at his age, it's a bit of a gamble for him. I hope that he will get the chance to reach a high sporting level in Manchester." Sale has faith in his young prodigy to bridge the gap. "He knows English clubs are very demanding and he has the right kind of attitude to succeed there."
Pogba still has some progress to make, as Sale admits. "His one weakness during his time at Le Havre was stamina," he said, "but he did show signs of progression and surely, alongside coaching staff at Manchester United, he will improve."
Lipka hopes that he will get a chance in reserve-team football sooner rather than later, so he will continue his current rate of development. "He's the type of player that is sought-after, especially in England," he recognised, "and with his physical power he should adapt well to the game there."
After the compensation saga, Manchester United will certainly hope that this is the case. Michael Essien may have slipped through the Old Trafford net, but Sir Alex Ferguson hopes that in Pogba, he has snared the equivalent from Ligue 1's next generation.
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