By daily sports on January 17, 2017
Giorgio Chiellini has admitted Juventus are missing the presence of Paul Pogba, comparing the Manchester United midfielder to basketball star LeBron James.
Pogba joined United from Juve in a world-record €110 million deal in the summer after four Scudetto-winning seasons in Turin.
The Bianconeri have reclaimed top spot this term but lead Roma by only a point – albeit with a game in hand – and have lost four games out of 19 after being defeated just five times in the entirety of the 2015-16 Serie A campaign.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of Fiorentina on Sunday, with goals from Nikola Kalinic and Milan Badelj downing the defending champions despite Gonzalo Higuain’s reply.
Chiellini believes the difference is largely down to Pogba’s absence, claiming the Frenchman exerted an influence from the centre of the park that allowed Juve to dominate games more easily.
“Last year we had a player like Pogba in midfield, who is the LeBron James, the Usain Bolt of football,” Chiellini told Sky Italia.
“Last season Paul allowed us to play a certain way, but now he’s not here and we made some changes. [Massimiliano] Allegri is working on finding a solution, we aren’t idiots or clowns.
“We’re giving up too many chances – last season [Gianluigi] Buffon never dirtied his gloves.”
Pogba has made 20 appearances in the Premier League for United this season, scoring four goals in the process.
Juventus brought in Miralem Pjanic from Roma in the summer to replace the 23-year-old and have added Tomas Rincon, from Genoa, to their midfield ranks this month. (NAN)
•Photo shows Paul Pogba
Source daily sports
Posted January 17, 2017
You may also like...
Musa Yahaya hooked by movie star, Saduah
Giggs Will Not Manage Wales At Euro 2020...
Everton experience changed me, says Lampard
Dani Alves Leaves Sao Paulo Over Unpaid Wages...
Lakers to Add Dudley On 1-year, $2.6M deal...
‘Barca ready to make Messi best paid’

Super Falcons unveil 10-star jersey ahead of WAFCON 2026
From Sporting Lisbon to Al Nassr: Ronaldo’s records so far
WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot, record prize money
Wikki Tourists administrator tasks players, coaches on NPFL return
Golf: Port Harcourt to host Nigerian National Finals
I’ve had enough, sprinter Onyah threatens to dump Nigeria
Onyeka warns teammates ahead EPL opener
The real money behind football’s biggest prizes
Nigeria to host CAF General Assembly November
Lessons from the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals
NSSF boss Joseph elected ISF Africa president
Nigeria seek final spots at ITTF Africa Youth Champs
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,973 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,323 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,225 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,830 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,710 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,582 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,475 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,987 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,203 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,673 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,155 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,535 views)