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What would Barcelona look like today if Paul Pogba had joined?

By Chiranjib Ghosh

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 25: Paul Pogba of France during the EURO Qualifier match between France v Iceland at the Stade de France on March 25, 2019 in Paris France (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 25: Paul Pogba of France during the EURO Qualifier match between France v Iceland at the Stade de France on March 25, 2019 in Paris France (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images) /
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The situation at Barcelona would be much different if Paul Pogba had joined

Recently, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu revealed that he had wanted to sign Paul Pogba just after Barcelona had beaten Juventus in the Champions League final. But Manchester United eventually signed the Frenchman the next summer, as the club was simply outpriced.

Pogba became the most expensive player of all-time after moving to United in a €105 million deal. At at point, Barça couldn’t afford to spend that amount on a midfielder, despite the fact that Xavi had left the club after 17 years in the first-team squad.

Today, Barça are in a good position to win its third treble in the span of a decade. The La Liga title is all but secured, and history sides with the Catalans in the quest for the fifth consecutive Copa del Rey. The Champions League is the only competition worth worrying about.

But the situation could have been much different if Paul Pogba had indeed become a Culé. Barça would probably have been in a similar position in the 2018/19 season, but Luis Enrique’s reign could have ended differently and Ernesto Valverde’s reign could have started differently.

Pogba’s signing would mean that the club wouldn’t have signed Arda Turan or André Gomes. Firstly, they would be simply inaffordable. Secondly, they would not be required in the squad. That would mean that two colossal financial losses would be avoided.

Consequently, Carles Aleñá’s call-up to the first-team squad would be accelerated as he would present a virtually cost-free solution to the vacuum in the midfield. Also, Denis Suárez would get more opportunities after his return to Barça.

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But most importantly, Paul Pogba would have added a whole new dimension to Barça. His versatility would not necessitate the signing of a player like Paulinho. He is the perfect combination of strength and finesse, and that could complement the likes of Sergio Busquets.

Pogba would have been the successor to Andrés Iniesta in the first-team. For that reason, Barça may never have found a player like Arthur. But it would provide the much-needed stability in a tactical setup which places prime importance on midfielders.

It is likely that Barça may have never gone after Philippe Coutinho if Paul Pogba had been signed. That would avert a signing which has turned out to be iffy considering the other big signing in Ousmane Dembélé. So, it would have had more financial advantages than anticipated.

If Barça had been as confident of Pogba’s chances of success as the club has been about Coutinho and Dembélé, the benefits would have been reaped. Instead, the club chose to invest in quantity than quality, spending €163 million on midfielders since Pogba’s move to United.

Of course, Pogba’s temperament has to be considered. His high-profile spat with former Manchester United manager José Mourinho did him no good, and the World Cup winner suffered periods of poor form which led to extensive criticism.

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But all that is part and parcel of the life of a professional footballer, and should never be considered as a detrimental factor when considering a signing to secure the long-term future of the club. So, Barça would have been different, but much better with a player like Paul Pogba.