The numbers that show why Real Madrid need Pogba Real Madrid Better than current midfield trio in attack and defence

After four sub-standard matches and one of the worst pre-seasons in recent memory, which follows a disappointing season in 2018/19, Real Madrid are in need of more reinforcements. And it is well known that the player Zinedine Zidane desires most is Paul Pogba.

The French midfielder, adored by some and criticised by others, is a piece that would fit into Madrid's puzzle, based off the performances seen in the United States and at the Allianz Arena. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, starters in all four matches, were overwhelmed both in defence and in attack, which is reminiscent of what was seen last season. They sorely missed Casemiro and his ability to put out fires, even if he was not at his best in 2018/19.

In fact, none of the three managed to record numbers that surpassed Pogba's, even though Manchester United had a difficult campaign of their own. In both defence and attack Pogba was more impressive, even managing to put up better numbers in attack than Modric, Kroos and Casemiro together.

Pogba played 47 games last season in which he scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists. Modric, meanwhile, played 46 matches, scoring four goals and recording eight assists. Casemiro managed to find the back of the net on four occasions in 43 games without providing an assist, while Kroos played the same number of matches but recorded one goal and six assists. In total, the three Madrid players scored nine goals, seven less than Pogba, and provided 14 assists, two less than the Frenchman. If that wasn't enough, Pogba also attempted more shots on his own than the current trio combined: he went for goal on 60 occasions, rather than 45 times by the other three.

Even defensively, Pogba is still made to look superior to the current Madrid midfielders. He recovered the ball more than the others, winning possession back on 287 occasions, compared to 278 for Casemiro, 268 for Kroos and 222 for Modric.

The best from the top five leagues

Some might think the aforementioned numbers don't have as much merit when compared to the Madrid trio in what was a down year for Los Blancos, but it is worth noting that Pogba was a part of a dreadful United side for much of the season.

Pogba was the only midfielder in Europe's top five leagues who was able to score more than 15 goals and provide more than 10 assists. If he is able to rack up numbers in a poor season, what would he be able to do in a better, more successful team?