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France coach Didier Deschamps has backed Paul Pogba to find a new club and arrest his slump in domestic form, as he hailed the upcoming Aurelien Tchouameni.
Pogba endured another frustrating season with Manchester United, who finished sixth in the Premier League and will hope Erik ten Hag can transform their fortunes next campaign.
World Cup-winning midfielder Pogba is widely expected to depart Old Trafford when his contract expires in June, with Juventus seemingly in the running to bring the 29-year-old back to Turin, while Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked.
Pogba has come under scrutiny for failing to replicate his international performances for France, who he will not feature for in upcoming Nations League games due to injury.
Deschamps heaped praise on Pogba’s efforts for his country and expects the France star to move on from United after another underwhelming campaign.
“Pogba has had a lot of injuries, with his club’s results not up to par,” Deschamps told a news conference on Saturday.
“He too will have to change scenery this summer.”
Deschamps additionally spoke of players who may have struggled on club duty, saying: “There has to be credit for what they have been able to do with the France team.”
Tchouameni has enjoyed another productive season in Ligue 1 with Monaco, leading to reports he could join Liverpool, Chelsea or Real Madrid in the next transfer window.
The midfielder appeared 35 times in Ligue 1 this campaign, with only Wissam Ben Yedder (37) and goalkeeper Alexander Nubel (38) featuring more for Philippe Clement’s side.
The 22-year-old represents a threat at both ends of the pitch, leading Monaco’s charts for successful opposition-half passes (932), while making the most tackles (86) and winning the most duels (260).
Tchouameni will compete with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Adrien Rabiot and Matteo Guendouzi for a spot in midfield, and Deschamps is delighted to see the Monaco man coming into contention.
“He doesn’t have the experience of Pogba and Kante, but he has potential… I took him on quite early, and in his head, he has the necessary maturity,” Deschamps said.
“It’s good to have these young people who make sure the older players do not rest on their laurels! The young players continue to grow, and even the others who are not selected are also growing.
“It’s the new generation. Today a 19-year-old, it can seem a bit presumptuous, they go to the big clubs, but they have no worries, they do everything to succeed.”
