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"Perfect for Pogba" but strange from Chelsea? Kevin Kilbane on Matic to Man United

A couple of weeks ago, Steve Bruce's decision to sign Ahmed Elmohamady (again) reminded us of oth...



"Perfect for Pogba" bu...
Soccer

"Perfect for Pogba" but strange from Chelsea? Kevin Kilbane on Matic to Man United

A couple of weeks ago, Steve Bruce's decision to sign Ahmed Elmohamady (again) reminded us of other examples of managers that always have the same go-to player at multiple clubs.

Jose Mourinho is not immune to that trend after bringing his former Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic to Manchester United in a £40 million deal.

It's interesting from a couple of angles and our own Kevin Kilbane considered the upsides for Manchester United vis a vis their attempts to bring out the best from Paul Pogba in midfield.

Speaking on the Off The Ball Newsround, Kevin said: "How I felt [Mourinho] got the best out of Pogba last season was certainly playing with a three in midfield but the three with the sitter - one sitting and two ahead of him - where Pogba was given a bit more licence to get forward, trying to get him into the games more. Across the whole season he didn't have a big influence."

But with Matic a more natural holding player and an imposing presence that should allow Pogba more attacking freedom to roam.

"It might help Herrera but I think this move is perfect for Pogba, I really do think it's a perfect one for Pogba. It's the right player that's going to complement Pogba's style," said Kevin.

"And I think he's probably recognised that, Mourinho. Traditionally he's always had that type of player in his side who's got to be that disciplined player."  

However, the move sees Chelsea sell to a rival and when asked by Joe if that's the most surprising thing about this deal, Kevin responded: "Totally".

"We look at signings over the last few seasons, one in particular which stuck to my mind, was Van Persie going to United. Continuously through the whole process of that transfer going through, Wenger's saying 'he's not for sale, we can't be helping out a direct opponent'. £40 million doesn't seem a lot with what's been spent this summer and Chelsea are aiding a direct opponent."

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