"?France's head coach Didier Deschamps has been talking to "?L'Equipe recently, and is already moving to deter criticism of Paul Pogba before a ball has even been kicked for the Euro 2016 tournament.
Pogba is without doubt one of France's key men going into the tournament having been prolific this season for Juventus, scoring eight, assisting 13 and doing enough hard work off the ball to secure the Serie A title. He's been an all-round midfield performer this season having improved on his defensive abilities.
According to"? FourFourTwo, Deschamps has come out with some statements aimed at diluting the influence that Pogba has on the team, in a conservative attempt to deter criticism.
He said, "I am happy with Pogba. People expect him to score a hat-trick and to entertain the crowd with tricks. But he is a midfielder. He can score goals, but he has another job to do as well.
"He has extraordinary technical qualities, but he's not there to do crazy things each time he touches the ball. He has to find the right balance. He knows that the team sometimes needs him in a bit more neutral role. He can be useful and efficient in that role.
"I don't need to tell him what to do going forward, but there is also a role for him without the ball that he is capable of. And he is already doing that much more than before.
"People always expect more from him because he is still young and shows a lot on the pitch. I have a clear idea of what I want from him. He can score goals and give assists. But it does not mean he has not put in a good performance if he doesn't contribute with a goal or an assist."
Deschamps may be hinting at deploying Pogba in a more holding midfield role, while attempting to quell the pressure on the player, given that he carries a lot of expectation on his shoulders.
Either way, Pogba will have to perform on the night, and most football fans already know that goals and assists don't wholly determine a good performance.