‘Sit on the bench every week’ - Paul Pogba’s demise likened to Dele Alli as World Cup-winning ex-Man Utd star is again linked with a move to Marseille as a free agent

Ex-Tottenham and Everton midfielder Dele is attempting to get his career back on track in Italy with Como. He has, however, taken in just one substitute appearance for the Serie A outfit - and that lasted just nine minutes as he picked up a red card against AC Milan.

Pogba is now looking to find a fresh start of his own, with the World Cup-winning Frenchman having served an 18-month doping ban. The former Manchester United and Juventus star has been linked with teams around the world.

He is yet to land a contract, at 32 years of age, with teams in MLS and across Europe still mulling over their options. A return to his homeland at Marseille has been speculated on for Pogba - which could see him link up with Mason Greenwood - but Chris Waddle is not convinced that a deal there would be right for all parties.

The Marseille legend has told yaysweepstakes.com: “Paul Pogba was an outstanding young player. When he came to United the first time, everybody thought, look at this kid, he was going to be the new Michel Platini. Then he was at Juventus, did well, but then lost his way. He's been out of the game and he’s in his thirties. After the last few years, Paul Pogba is basically unproven. He was struggling even before he got banned. He wasn't playing great.

“We know he's got talent. We've seen that from a young age. But for Marseille, if the deal was right, they could have a look at him. A bit like Dele Alli going to Como, he never plays, he sits on the bench every week and lost his way.

“It's a big risk. These guys demand money. They're not sitting there and thinking, I don't want any money, I'm just trying to get myself back in the game. You've got to pay these players and they're not cheap.

“So, Marseille with a limited budget, would they think they’d rather get a proven player who's playing at this level at the minute? Someone who can do a job, rather than gamble on somebody who was a great player quite a few years ago, but was a top player? Has he got that desire and passion? Has he got all that? Has he got that to come back and prove to everybody wrong? That's the question.”

Pogba has not made a competitive appearance since September 2023. He is - despite working on individual training programmes behind the scenes - clearly lacking in match sharpness, but would be able to improve those levels if he linked up with a new team for pre-season.