Suarez weighs in on Pogba problems

BARCELONA - Luis Suarez thinks Paul Pogba should be challenging for more trophies than he currently is at Manchester United - and that the France forward would always be welcome at Barcelona.

Pogba has endured a problematic two years since returning to Old Trafford for a then world-record fee of $121.7 million, and his relationship with coach Jose Mourinho has become strained.

The 25-year-old rediscovered his best form in inspiring Les Bleus to World Cup glory in Russia, beating Uruguay's Suarez on the way.

But since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, United has failed to challenge for either the Premier League or Champions League titles, while Barca has won three La Liga crowns and one Champions League over the same period.

"Pogba is an elite player who has won everything and we always want to have the best at Barcelona," Suarez told RAC1 on Tuesday.

"He is a player that has a lot of quality and who is one of the key players at United, and I think he would like to compete for more than he is competing for now.

"But that's how it is, he does not belong to Barcelona but he will always be welcome. He is a quality player."

One Champions League crown in five years, however, represents a disappointing return for Barca, particularly while rival Real Madrid has dominated the tournament, winning it three times in a row.

Lionel Messi, now captain after Andres Iniesta's departure, has expressed his own desire to make amends, with the superstar striker also coming off the back of a harrowing World Cup with Argentina.

"Leo's really motivated, even more so after the World Cup and the Champions League," Suarez said.

"But it's a really difficult competition to win and Messi can't win it on his own. It has to be a team effort, as good as he is.

"Obviously it's infuriating for us because Madrid has won the Champions League in each of the last three years. They have made history and it's a thorn in our side."

Overworked

One criticism leveled at coach Ernesto Valverde last season was that he overworked his players in La Liga, despite Barca enjoying a significant advantage at the top.

Suarez shoulders the blame too, pinpointing a league victory against Leganes when he played 90 minutes, three days before his team was beaten by Roma.

"When you pass 30 you begin to realize there are times when you have to rest," Suarez said.

"I most regret the game against Leganes at home when we had a big lead in La Liga and the quarterfinal with Roma three days later.

"I played the whole game, and when you do that you get a bit tired."

Agence France-presse

(China Daily 09/08/2018 page10)