Capello: Juventus must be patient with Pogba

Fabio Capello says Paul Pogba will soon get back to his best, arguing the Juventusmidfielder's talent is beyond dispute.

The 22-year-old Pogba has established himself as one of the most exciting young players in world football since arriving in Turin on a free transfer from Manchester United in 2012 and was the subject of an €80 million bid from Barcelona last summer.

Juve managed to hang on to their most prized possession and promptly ceded to the France international's request to wear the prestigious No.10 jersey vacated by Carlos Tevez at the end of the 2014-15 campaign.


However, Pogba has struggled so far this term, impressing only sporadically and appearing burdened by the responsibility of filling the void left by the summer departures of fellow midfielders Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.

Capello, though, is adamant that Pogba merely needs more time to come to terms with his new leadership role.

"A slow start was predictable," the former Juve and Milan coach told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"They have now given him the baton of the conductor of the orchestra and the landscape has changed.

"But he only needs patience. Pogba's talent cannot be questioned."

Juve host AC Milan this weekend in what is a crucial clash for both sides, with the Bianconeri currently seventh in the standings, just two points behind their great rivals.

The reigning champions are on the comeback trail after a sluggish start to their bid for a fifth successive Scudetto and Capello is in no doubt that Massimiliano Allegri's men, who have won their last two league games, can re-enter the title race.

However, the former England boss feels that new Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will need more time to turn a revamped Rossoneri squad into a major force.

"Juve must find themselves again, recover what have always been their main attributes: hunger and determination," Capello added.

"Milan are growing game by game. I put myself in the place of Mihajlovic and imagine his state of mind; he would like to see the attitude he has seen in training in the game.

"The problem is that the players have not managed to show what they are doing during the week in games at the weekend.

"So, I believe more in Juve. It seems to me that the first answers have already arrived and I think that they can get back in the race for the title.

"A slow start was also to be expected after the departures of Tevez, Vidal and Pirlo.

"Milan have changed a lot and are giving their coach time.

"Football, though, has a defect: it's impatient. When you buy a lot of expensive players, you think that the main part is done, but it's not like this. In order to win, you must have a solid base and sign two great players at a time."