Liverpool legend Graeme Souness once again piles into ex-Man Utd midfielder Paul Pogba

Graeme Souness described Paul Pogba as a "lazy, wasted talent" after the former midfielder had his drugs ban reduced to 18 months. Pogba was initially handed a four-year ban after a drugs test found elevated levels of testosterone - a hormone that increases endurance - in his system.

The suspension, which started in September 2023, will now end in March of next year, meaning he will be free to resume his playing career before the end of this season. Juventus is exploring the possibility of terminating Pogba's contract, which would make him a free agent, but legend Souness said that he would not remotely consider signing Pogba were he managing a Premier League club.

Souness told William Hill's Three Up Front podcast: “If I was a Premier League manager, there are no circumstances under which I would take a punt on bringing in Paul Pogba. He’s only played 39 games since the 2021/22 season.

“He is extremely talented, but he’s a wasted talent. The worst thing that happened to him was winning the World Cup because from that point on he just sat in his armchair. When Jose Mourinho was at Manchester United, he called Pogba a virus. He’s a lazy player, but midfield is a position that you have to take personally.

“It’s the only position on the pitch where you’re directly up against someone who’s trying to do the same job as you. I always wanted to have a better day than whoever I was up against, and the only thing I was taught to do was work harder than my opponent. Pogba just goes out to play and show off to everyone how cute and clever he is, rather than trying to make his opponent have a miserable day. He’s got all the ability and athleticism you need; he’s just missing something upstairs.”

Troy Deeney played against Pogba on several occasions in the but doesn't envisage the Frenchman returning to England if his contract in Turin is cancelled.

“I still think Paul Pogba is talented enough,” said Deeney. “But is he still attractive from a business perspective? I played against him four or five times and it was like football was too easy for him. He didn’t have to try. That really infuriated me, and it infuriates me in people in general, but he’s so talented. He’s 6ft 4in, he can move, he can do everything.

“I hope he can get back to playing. I’d question his ego as to where he ends up playing, because I’m not sure his ego will allow him to drop to a lower Premier League team, like Leicester for example.”