Verratti: ‘I want to play with Pogba’

By Football Italia staff

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti says he’d like to play with Paul Pogba - ‘he’s a phenomenon’.

The French champions have been repeatedly linked with the Juventus starlet, with director Pavel Nedved admitting that the Bianconeri have received an offer.

Now Italian international Verratti has given an interview to a French magazine in which he expresses his desire to play with the former Manchester United man.

“He’s a phenomenon,” the playmaker told So Foot.

“If he had been allowed to play at Manchester United he’d have responded as he’s doing now [for Juventus].

“He needed confidence. Juventus gave it to him and now he’s proving to everyone that he’s among the best in the world.

“It would be nice to play with him one day, he’s very good. With the best players everything is easier.”

Verratti first came to prominence under Czech Coach Zdenek Zeman at Pescara, and he praises the current Cagliari boss for helping his development.

“The year with Zeman changed my life. Before that I only came back to defend if someone was hurt.

“Then I started to think about football 24 hours a day, the little things that you can improve in your game to make a difference.

“It became a job, a responsibilty. Nobody works like him.

“Sometimes, after training, I was throwing up from the effort of 20 miles of running. It’s like military training.”

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