Olivier Giroud considers Paul Pogba to be “a huge talent” and believes his full potential will be unlocked by Manchester United and France if patience is shown.
The 25-year-old has faced further questioning of his form this season, with Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho having criticised him in public and removed him from starting duty.
Pogba has responded with a positive run of form towards the end of the 2017-18 campaign, but there is still a feeling that United’s system does not bring the best out of him.
He will get another opportunity to impress in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea before switching his attention to World Cup matters, with Blues striker Giroud aware of the threat a fellow countryman will pose both at Wembley and in any future encounters between the pair.
“He is one of the people Chelsea have to worry about - he is one of their key players,” Giroud told the Evening Standard.
“Paul is a special personality. He’s very committed on the pitch, he is passionate. He is a very good player and he has shown it.
“Has the Premier League seen the best of him? Paul is still young and there is a lot of expectation around him because he has a lot of talent.
“People are never patient with this kind of player.
“He just needs to carry on improving - he can improve a lot. Obviously he has a huge talent. We will see more and more of his quality in the future.
“I just hope it will come after the game on Saturday.”
Pogba has contributed six goals and 11 assists to the United cause this season, but has often seen his haircuts and off-field antics generate as much publicity as his performances.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)