EPL 2016/17: Antonio Cassano believes Paul Pogba is overrated and lucky to have a good agent

What’s the story

Former Italy striker Antonio Cassano has questioned Paul Pogba’s credibility and termed him ‘overrated’. Along with the French midfielder, Cassano called James Rodriguez and Mario Balotelli hyped up as well.

The former Sampdoria player credited Pogba and Balotelli’s agent Mino Raiola for the ‘incredible opportunities’ both these players have got in their respective careers.

While talking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the 34-year-old forward said, "Pogba, James Rodriguez and Balotelli (are overrated). Is Pogba really worth €120m? Not for me, no. Rodriguez €80m? No. If he’s worth that, how much would [Andres] Iniesta have been worth at his age?

“As for Balotelli, I wish the best for Mario and he’s doing pretty well in France but both he and Pogba have had great fortune in life: they’re managed by a very good agent, Mino Raiola. He’s given both of them incredible opportunities.”

In case you didn’t know...

Pogba, who joined Manchester United in the summer transfer window for a world-record fee of £89.3 million, has been subjected to a lot of criticism of all sorts. While he has not been able to take the Premier League by storm, has scored four goals and provided three assists, and has completed most number of passes in the league.

The heart of the matter

Cassano, who was not part of Italy’s World Cup 2006 winning campaign, made it clear that he is not impressed with the amount of money United and Real Madrid paid for Pogba James respectively.

Not only this, the Italian also named the three players he thinks are best in the world – Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi. However, what came out as a surprise was the forward, who is currently a free agent, believes that he is still in the same bracket as the aforementioned players, completely ignoring a certain someone called Cristiano Ronaldo.

What’s Next

While Cassano is still without a club after being banned from Sampdoria, Pogba, James and Balotelli have a busy couple of months ahead with the season nearing its end. The French midfielder, having won the EFL Cup already, is on course to win another trophy in his first season back with United, the Europa League.

Author’s Take

It is completely unfair on Cassano’s part to term Pogba overrated. Carrying the burden of being the most expensive player in the world, Pogba has finally got the ball rolling after a tough initial couple of months.

With age on his side, the 24-year-old has enough time on his hands to go on and become the best in the world and silence his doubters.