World Cup briefing: Paul Pogba ‘wants to be France’s new Zidane’

Rio Ferdinand has his say on Pogba, Belgium
confirm squad and Jamie Vardy looks set for England start

One-Minute Read

Midfielder Pogba has had an indifferent season at Manchester
United and there are doubts over his Old Trafford future because of
his shaky relationship with boss Jose Mourinho.

Former England defender Ferdinand, who also played at Old
Trafford, says that if Pogba shines at the World Cup it won’t just
help France but also United when he returns next season.

“Paul is someone who wants to be known as a great player,” said
Ferdinand in an interview with the Daily Mirror. “When you look at the history in
the French national team – with Michel Platini and Zinedine Zidane
– he wants to be remembered as a player like that. 

“But Pogba has to play well. And he has to win – and
that’s not easy. There will be ­pressure because ­expectations are
huge on France. Pogba and [Antoine] Griezmann will be carrying the
hopes of their ­nation on their shoulders – and I would like to see
Paul do it.

“He’s a showman and someone who wants to be the
­centrepiece of what comes out of that team. Now he has the
opportunity to do that.”

Martinez confirms Belgium squad

Vincent Kompany has been named in Belgium’s final 23-man
squad for the World Cup despite suffering a groin injury at the
weekend.

Manchester City skipper Kompany was taken off during the
warm-up match against Portugal, but the defender will have a week
to prove his fitness to head coach Roberto Martinez.

Belgium – who are in World Cup group G with England, Tunisia and
Panama – have named Laurent Ciman as stand-by in case Kompany
withdraws.

Quoted by the Daily Mail, Martinez said: “Until 24 hours
before the Panama game we can still make a replacement. We need to
wait a period of seven, eight days with Kompany. Then we will get a
good opportunity to make a diagnosis.” 

While Belgium will wait on Kompany’s fitness, one player
who won’t be travelling to Russia is Crystal Palace striker
Christian Benteke. Martinez said: “Christian has been the toughest
decision. But it is for the balance of the squad. We have two No.9s
– Michy Batshuayi and Romelu Lukaku have taken those
positions.”

Belgium’s 23-man final World Cup squad: 

• Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen
  Casteels 
• Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen,
  Dedryck Boyata, Thomas Meunier, Vincent Kompany 
• Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco, Nacer Chadli, Leander
  Dendoncker, Kevin De Bruyne, Mousa Dembele, Marouane Fellaini,
  Thorgan Hazard, Adnan Januzaj, Axel Witsel, Youri
  Tielemans. 
• Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens, Romelu
  Lukaku 
• Stand-By: Laurent Ciman

Vardy set for England starting
chance

The Daily Telegraph reports that Leicester City
striker Jamie Vardy will start for England in the World Cup warm-up
match against Costa Rica on Thursday.

England boss Gareth Southgate is considering making a
number of changes to the team that beat Nigeria 2-1 on Saturday
with Vardy likely to get a spot in attack for the match at Elland
Road.

Southgate is also expected to give a debut to Liverpool’s
19-year-old defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.