Frank Leboeuf: Why Paul Pogba might not start for France in Russia 2018 World Cup

Paul Pogba might not be in France starting line-up when they play their first game of the 2018 World Cup in Russia against Australia on June 16th.

Former France international and World Cup winner Frank Leboeuf while discussing Les Bleus chances of winning the World Cup 20 years after they last won it revealed that Paul Pogba has fallen down in the pecking order.

The former Chelsea defender told ESPN FC that the Manchester United midfielder who is under a lot of pressure and criticism might not even start in France’s last world cup warm-up game against the USA this Saturday as Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso and Juventus’ midfielder Blaise Matuide will flank Ngolo Kante in France’s three-man midfield.

“He is under a lot of pressure,” said Leboeuf.

“He said that he needed the key to the team, he has been criticized, I don’t think he is going to start against United state on Saturday.

“I don’t think he is going to start the World Cup, Corentin Tolisso is above him and on the left side I think Matuidi is above him.”

Frank Lebeouf who came in for suspended Laurent Blanc in France 1998 final game against Brazil further explained why Paul Pogba has been criticized and risks further criticisms.

“He has been criticized because, I mean, you have the talent, but we don’t see it with the national team for the past two or three years,

“The Pogba we are expecting, who talks about winning Ballon d’Or. He put himself in a situation where right now he can’t handle what he said.

“He has to rectify something otherwise he will face a lot of more criticism.”