Graeme Souness has finally been forced to concede that Paul Pogba is ‘one of France’s greatest ever talents’ as the former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder once again switches allegiance to England’s opponents.
The 73-year-old starred alongside fellow Scottish football icons Charlie Nicholas and Gordon Strachan in Paddy Power’s comedy sketch ahead of England’s third-place play-off against France.
With Thomas Tuchel’s side preparing to take on Les Bleus in what many view as a largely meaningless consolation match, the trio have apparently discovered French roots for the latest chapter in their anti-England campaign.
This marks the fourth time during the tournament that Souness, Nicholas and Strachan have adopted a new nationality in support of whoever happens to be facing England.
Having previously reinvented themselves as passionate Mexico supporters, Norwegian converts and proud Argentinians, the former Old Firm trio have shown that there is no nation they will not embrace if it means cheering against the Three Lions.
In the latest instalment, Souness reappears as ‘Guillaume Sounet’. Questioned over whether his support for France is genuine rather than simply rooted in a desire to see England lose, Souness attempted to prove his loyalty to Kylian Mbappe and Co by offering rare praise for former Manchester United midfielder Pogba.
Souness offered rare praise for former United and France midfielder Pogba in Paddy Power’s latest sketch, as the Scotsman changes his allegiance to England’s opponent once again
Souness, one of Pogba’s outspoken critics, was asked whether the former United midfielder was ‘one of France’s greatest ever talents’, to which he replied through gritted teeth: ‘oui’
The 73-year-old, long one of Pogba’s most outspoken critics, was then asked whether the former Manchester United midfielder was ‘one of France’s greatest ever talents’.
Through gritted teeth, Souness replied: ‘oui’.
This may come as a surprise to those who witnessed the war of words between the pair during Pogba’s Premier League days.
It began shortly after Pogba’s return to United in 2016, with Souness referring to Pogba as ‘selfish’ and suggesting that, for the Frenchman, it’s all about ‘how cool he looks’ and ‘how clever he is’.
Later, during lockdown, the criticism continued while Pogba was injured.
In a Q&A with the Sunday Times, Souness said: ‘Pogba has absolutely everything to be a top player – great athleticism, super technique – but his attitude to the game is the polar opposite of mine.
‘He goes out with one thought in his mind: ‘I’m going to show everyone how clever I am today and be the star of the show.’
‘He’d be an absolute doddle to play against.’
Then, finally, Pogba, whom United paid £89m to re-sign from Juventus in 2016, hit back.
‘I didn’t even know who he was, really,’ the France international told the United Podcast in April 2020. ‘I heard he was a great player and stuff like that. I know the face, but not the name.
‘I’m not someone who watches a lot of punditry. I watch a lot of football but I don’t stay after the game to listen to what they say about why they did this, or why they did that. I like to focus on football.’
While the comments from Souness continued until Pogba’s eventual departure two years later, the last Pogba said on the matter came earlier this year on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast.
Ferdinand told Pogba how he had been heavily discussed by Souness, and the Frenchman bluntly replied: ‘I didn’t know who he was. I heard he’s a legend.’
Given their long and often bitter history, Souness’s willingness to finally praise the former United star is remarkable and underlines just how far he is prepared to go to back England’s latest opponents.
