Thứ Ba, 15 tháng 11, 2016

Paul Pogba's dab is now a maths problem

Paul Pogba's dab is now a maths problem

The Manchester United midfielder has become synonymous with the dance move as a goal celebration, but he is now the subject of an exam question in France.

The art of celebration in football has taken on a life of its own, with the days of handshakes and slaps on the back now long gone.

Carefully choreographed routines are now the norm, with the actions that follow finding the target often more complex than the finishing of the chance itself.

Dance moves are a particular favourite of the modern day sportsman, with those operating on the football field offering the latest craze a whole new platform on which to grow and evolve.

‘The Dab’ has become the go-to pose for many a Premier League star, with Paul Pogba very much the cheerleader-in-chief.

The France international has been honouring his strikes with the pose for some time now, with the trend first starting during his days at Juventus.

He is now on the books at Manchester United, but has become so synonymous with the move that his actions have become the subject of a maths question in his homeland.


Students are required to work out whether the two triangles formed by Pogba’s shoulders and arms can be considered perfect by the rules of Pythagoras’s theorem.
That all sounds very complicated, with the interest shown in celebrations perhaps now being taken too far!

Pogba seems quite taken with the attention, though, writing on Twitter: “The dab is useful, am I approved?"


More games: friv

Thứ Ba, 27 tháng 9, 2016

Manchester United stars Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford trolled by Jesse Lingard on Instagram

United's new No 14 took to social media to jokingly mock Pogba and Rashford, both of whom scored in the weekend win over Leicester.

Manchester United's Jesse Lingard has trolled teammate Paul Pogba over his £89million price tag.
United's new No 14 shared an Instagram Story of him joking around with the world's most expensive player in the canteen at United's Carrington training ground on Monday.
In a high-pitched voice, Lingard can be heard saying: "My name's Paul and I'm worth £100million, hmmm... My name's Paul and I like to dab, hmmm..."
Eighteen-year-old teammate Marcus Rashford also got a bit of stick from Lingard.
Jessie Lingard with a video including Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba
Jesse Lingard begins his Instagram story by annoying Paul Pogba...
Jessie Lingard with a video including Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba
... before moving onto 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford
"My name's Rashford and I like to score on my debut, hmmm..." the 23-year-old says in a separate video. "I scored for Manchester United, England and the Under-21s, hmmm..."
Lingard, Pogba and Rashford all started on Saturday as United recorded an emphatic 4-1 win over champions Leicester in the Premier League.
Pogba and Rashford both scored in the win, while Lingard notched the assist for the second goal, scored by Juan Mata.

Thứ Ba, 30 tháng 8, 2016

Massimiliano Allegri explains why he will miss Paul Pogba at Juventus

Max Allegri and Paul Pogba enjoyed success at Juventus
Life after Paul Pogba has started pretty well for Juventus.
The Old Lady are two for two in their defence of the Serie A title, picking up wins against Fiorentina and Lazio.
Pogba who?

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The Italian giants received a world-record fee of £89 million when they sold the Frenchman to Manchester United earlier this month.
Massimiliano Allegri paid €32m on Pogba’s replacement, Miralem Pjanic, and also made exciting prospect Mario Lemina’s loan move from Marseille permanent.

Thứ Ba, 19 tháng 7, 2016

Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane 'happy' with his squad without Juventus star

Madrid are considered United’s main rivals to land Pogba’s signature this summer.

paul-pogba.jpg
Zinedine Zidane, the Real Madrid manager, has handed Manchester United a boost in their £100m pursuit of Paul Pogba, revealing he is happy with the squad he has at the Bernabéu.
The 44-year-old admitted he considers Pogba, linked endlessly with a return to Old Trafford since leaving for Juventus in 2012, to be a “good player” but said he is content with the options available to him and may even dip into the academy in future.
Madrid are considered United’s main rivals to land Pogba’s signature this summer but The Independent revealed last month that the 20-time English champions remain in pole position to get a deal over the line in the coming weeks.
Zident told reporters at Madrid’s pre-season camp in Canada: “I like Pogba. At the moment, he's a Juventus player. I'm happy with the squad I have and it's difficult to improve it. 
“But after saying that, I like Pogba - yes. He is a good player. He is not the only one, because there's many good players, and every club wants to have good players. But he is playing for Juventus. 
“It's difficult because a big squad creates problems. But I don't dislike the idea of looking to the academy. There are a lot of competitions and we need everyone. 
“Working is the most important thing, it's what we're going to do here. Then, bit by bit, we'll decide things. You don't know what will happen until August 31. We're happy with the squad we have and we've just won the Champions League.”

Thứ Ba, 14 tháng 6, 2016

French media question Griezmann and Pogba

France's unconvincing opening victory in the European Championship would appear to have given the French sporting press a dose of the yips, if recent reports are anything to go by.
Such was their performance against Romania that two of their biggest stars, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba were hauled off by manager Didier Deschamps midway through the second half before Dimitri Payet pulled out the victory with a last minute screamer.
Indeed, some are even asking whether the twin talismans might be omitted from the starting eleven against Albania on Wednesday.
The substitution has not just caused a split in opinion amongst the members of the local media, but also some leading footballing personalities.
Former national team boss Raymond Domenech saw it as a brave move.
"Who would have had the nerve to haul them off like that?
"From the outside, it looks easy."
Former Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain coach Paul Le Guen saw the move in a different light.
"It's not good for their confidence.
"Leaders need to stay on the park as long as possible and a change like that can create doubts."
Deschamps did, of course rest the two during France's second game at the World Cup.
But another memory lingers, that of surrendering the top position in the group stage in Euro 2012, leading to a difficult draw and elimination against Spain in the knockouts - and, ultimately, the resignation of then-manager Laurent Blanc.
The doubts Le Guen mentioned are certainly there; in some quarters, at least.
'Griezmann restless' led the front page of L'Equipe, with Maxifoot noting that 'The stars of France are worried.'
Deschamps and Patrice Evra counselled against such over-exuberance, with the Juventus left-back quoted as saying "We're all human beings.
"Now is the time to keep our heads because there will be more matches".
The manager name-checked both players.
"Paul hasn't disappointed me and just like Antoine, he's young and in good shape."
But questions do remain about their fitness, especially that of Pogba who has had some minor physical issues, limiting his training work with the rest of the group.
With Griezmann, the question centres more around fatigue wth the forward having featured in 54 games for Atletico during a season where he looked to be losing his edge towards the end.
Griezmann himself, however was keen to bat such ideas away.
"I think I'm in great shape.
"Sure, I felt a little tired before the Champions League final, but I think I've had enough time to recover".
Eric Olhats, a fitness adviser writing in L'Equipe, didn't see this as an issue either.
"I don't see a deficit in his fitness levels, nor that he's being put under undue strain.
"Antoine, in whatever situation, needs a little bit of adaptation time, that's all.
"We saw this with Real Sociedad, and also at Atletico."
There is a sense that these worries may just be a reaction to a poor display in the opener, and the gnawing sense of unease that it's provoked.
'Our supposed leader in the attack was very quite against Romania,' said L'Equipe, before going on to ask: 'Should we be worried?'
But of course there's another way of looking at things and the same paper summed that up nicely in saying that back in the previous two tournaments held in France, Euro 84 and the 1998 World Cup, Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane were also questioned by some.
And, of course, France went on to emerge as champions on each occasion.

Chủ Nhật, 8 tháng 5, 2016

Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba, Victor Campuzano Rumours

Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba, Victor Campuzano Rumours
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri doesn’t believe any of his top players will leave the club during the summer, suggesting Paul Pogba won’t be joining Real Madrid anytime soon. However, star youngster Victor Campuzano is reportedly close to joining Los Blancos.
As reported by Jack Gaughan of MailOnline, Pogba is wanted by a host of top clubs around Europe, including Real Madrid and Barcelona. But Allegri believes Juventus are on the same level as Europe’s elites and doesn’t see why any of his players would pursue a transfer, per Goal’sNicholas McGee:
I don't see why players should leave us.
Juventus are now at the same level as the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. Our own plans on the transfer market? The club has always assembled competitive and winning sides.
The solid spine of our experienced group, combined with our talented youngsters, enables us to enjoy success. Our first aim for 2016-17, other than enjoying a strong Champions League, is sealing what would be a legendary sixth straight title.
Director Beppe Marotta provided similar comments just a few days ago amid rumours Chelsea and Manchester City were also interested in a move, revealing the Bianconeri turned down the Citizens last year, per Mediaset Premium (h/t Jamie Styles of the Daily Star).
The 23-year-old midfielder enjoyed a fantastic 2015-16 campaign after a rough start, playing a key role in Juventus’ run to a fifth straight Serie A title. He struggled initially, a logical result after the club sold Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo during the summer, but by the end of the season, Pogba once again ranked among Europe’s finest midfielders.
He added yet another element to his impressive set of skills, becoming an exceptional passer over the course of the season. It showed in his statistics, per OptaPaolo:
Pogba was already a gifted dribbler, tackler and long-range shooter, and his passing ability will only increase his value. The constant transfer speculation shouldn’t come as a surprise, as there are few teams in the world who wouldn’t want to add the France international.
Here’s a look at some of his highlights, per Giovadieci Football Channel:
Juventus seem determined to keep hold of Pogba, and with several youngsters emerging as stars of the future—Paulo Dybala, Alex Sandro and Daniele Rugani—the Bianconeri have every right to believe they’ll be able to compete with Europe’s finest next year.
It will be difficult to turn down Los Blancos, who tend to get whatever they want, but all signs point toward Pogba staying in Turin for now.
Meanwhile, Marca’s D. Pifferer (via Enda Keneally) reports Espanyol youngster Campuzano is on the verge of joining Real, as his agent Francisco Valdivieso has been in talks with the club.
The 18-year-old forward refused to sign a new contract with the Catalans and was held out of this year’s Copa del Rey as a result, and a split between Campuzano and the club has seemed inevitable ever since.
The teenager, who is reportedly a long-time Real supporter, will join Castilla next season.

Thứ Sáu, 25 tháng 3, 2016

Why Chelsea's Oscar Would Be a Great Transfer Option for Juventus

Now what? After being eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Bayern Munich, Juventus were reminded once again of the gulf that exists between them and the truly great European clubs.
Indeed, while the Bianconeri have shown they can overcome the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid and Manchester City, their defeat to the Bundesliga giants—and the loss to Barcelona in last season’s final—shows that coach Massimiliano Allegri’s men still need to improve.
Understanding where they can make that leap is difficult, with the defence, midfield and attack all looking individually strong yet failing to compete when faced with the very best teams. Gazzetta dello Sportoffered one interesting hypothesis last week, with the Italian newspaper suggesting Juve may look to sell Paul Pogba and overhaul their squad.
The report (h/t Gazzetta World) linked the French midfielder with a €100 million move away this summer, and that fee could be used to sign the likes of Uruguay international striker Edinson Cavani andHenrikh Mkhitaryan of Borussia Dortmund.
Yet one name that has been constantly linked with a move to Turin is Chelsea playmaker Oscar, and Sportsmediaset (h/t Football Italia) insisted Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici travelled to Stamford Bridge to watch the Brazilian in action against Paris Saint-Germain two weeks ago.
If that was indeed the case, the club official would have been disappointed to see Oscar only introduced as a 77th minute substitute as the English side were eliminated, but it is clear the 24-year-old has many admirers within the Juve management team.
That undoubtedly includes Mr Allegri, who spoke openly of his admiration for the Chelsea man when the club were linked to him last summer, listing him among a number of creative players during an interview with LaRepubblica.
“I would really like a player who can invent a match and is never predictable. I need that wild card within a balanced, structured tactical scheme,” the coach said back in June (h/t ESPN FC). “I like Real Madrid's Isco a lot, and Oscar but I also like two young Italians, Domenico Berardi and Federico Bernardeschi.”
It is relatively simple to understand why Allegri would like theBianconeri to add such a player, particularly to a squad that already boasts the midfield intelligence of Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira.
With the pace of Alex Sandro and Juan Cuadrado out wide, a creative star like Oscar could well prove to be a superb acquisition, despite failing to match his 2014/15 form during the current campaign.
His 35 appearances in all competitions this term have seen him weigh in with just eight goals and three assists, yet statistics show he has maintained similar numbers across the board elsewhere, averaging 1.1 key passes in league play this season compared to 1.3 last year, courtesy of WhoScored.com.
The same source shows he has connected with 80.6 per cent of his 40.3 passes per game in the Premier League, while he also works hard defensively—as he would be expected to in Serie A—to make an average of 2.2 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game in all competitions.
He also seems to have the ideal mindset for a tactically flexible coach like Allegri, expressing a willingness to do whatever he is asked—an approach that would be essential given the Juve boss’ love of switching between formations.
“I like to play wherever the coach wants me,” Oscar said in a May 2015 interview with Squawka’s Daniel Anwar. “As long as I can play with the ball at my feet and look around, help balance the side and create chances, I am happy. That’s what I’m there to do.”
That, combined with his vision, technical attributes and overall quality, makes Chelsea's Oscar a great transfer option for Juventus as they look to join European football’s elite group of teams.