Real Madrid's midfield is stacked with talent this season. But let's be real: they’re missing that one player who can truly unlock the game. Their midfield is jam-packed with box-to-box bruisers—Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni—all relentless and powerful. But there’s one little problem: the creativity just isn’t there. Gone are the days of prime Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić pulling strings with masterful vision and elegance. Enter Paul Pogba—a guy who could very well be the missing piece Madrid's midfield is craving.

Back in 2016, Pogba almost joined Madrid. Imagine the "what-ifs!" But his agent back then thought a little detour through Manchester United was the right move. Spoiler alert: it didn’t exactly go as planned. Fast-forward to today, and after a doping ban cut short, Pogba's contract with Juventus is history. He's now a free agent, ready to make a comeback. And if Real Madrid decides to take a chance, they might just be getting a player ready to set the world on fire.

Pogba: The Answer to Madrid’s Creative Woes?

Pogba’s got it all: charisma, vision, passing range, and that X-factor Real Madrid needs. Kylian Mbappé, his French teammate and Madrid's own superstar, said it best. Back when they played together for France, Mbappé practically had a GPS on his foot when Pogba was passing to him: “With him, you just have to lower your head, run, make a call, and you know the ball will arrive at your foot.” If there’s anyone Madrid could use to make those long, defense-splitting passes and get the ball to Mbappé’s feet, it’s Pogba.

Madrid’s current midfielders are fantastic, don’t get me wrong. But creativity? That’s something else entirely. Imagine a world where Pogba links up with Bellingham, combining flair and grit. While Tchouaméni and Camavinga are built like walls in the middle, Pogba is a sorcerer—a guy who can turn a half-chance into a goal. Kroos brought elegance, but Pogba could bring something even more deadly: power, showmanship, and that touch of audacity Madrid’s been missing.

A New, Improved Pogba: More Focused and Hungrier Than Ever

After Pogba’s recent challenges and 18-month ban, he’s a player with something to prove. He’s talked openly about his renewed motivation: “I’m still the same player but with a different hunger...I appreciate the game more than before after it was taken away from me.” There’s something raw and refreshing about a player who’s been through the fire and come out the other side, hungrier and wiser.

Madrid, more than any club, loves a redemption story. They’re known for making champions out of castaways and giving stars a new beginning under those legendary Bernabeu lights. And Pogba? He’s ready to be that guy, the one who storms back onto the scene with all the power, vision, and hunger a midfielder could muster.

Midfield Comparison: Pogba vs. the Madrid Quartet

Let’s break it down. Real Madrid’s current midfielders each have their strengths:

• Jude Bellingham: Energetic, direct, and unpredictable—Bellingham’s had a fantastic start at Madrid, often breaking through defenses with his direct runs. But he isn’t a classic playmaker. He’s more of a powerhouse with finishing flair.

• Federico Valverde: Hard-working and relentless. Valverde’s great at box-to-box movement but lacks Pogba’s creative edge in the final third.

• Eduardo Camavinga: A versatile dynamo who’s everywhere on the pitch, from midfield to defense. He’s excellent with short passes but isn’t the long-ball maestro that Pogba is.

• Aurélien Tchouaméni: Strong defensively, Tchouaméni is perfect for shielding the backline. But he’s not making those killer through balls Pogba is famous for.

If Real Madrid takes Pogba on, they’d have a weapon they’re currently missing—a creative genius who’s also got the physicality to match anyone in their squad. He’s the kind of player who could give Madrid a tactical edge and bring out the best in his teammates.

Chemistry with Mbappé: A Dream Duo?

The thought of Pogba and Mbappé reuniting in Madrid is, frankly, electrifying. These two have an understanding, a shorthand that could translate seamlessly to Real Madrid’s lineup. Pogba’s got the creativity, Mbappé’s got the speed, and together, they could be a nightmare for any defense in Europe. Imagine Mbappé darting down the wing, Pogba lobbing one of those classic long balls—Madridistas would be watching a new era unfold before their eyes.

Why Madrid Should Take the Chance

Pogba to Madrid isn’t just a potential solution to their creativity problem. It’s an opportunity for both Pogba and Madrid to reignite a spark. Real Madrid could be the perfect stage for Pogba’s comeback, giving him a platform to perform and prove himself while giving Madrid the creativity they desperately need.

In a team packed with relentless runners and workhorses, Pogba could be that rare magician who brings the finesse and flair that makes Madrid Madrid. Who knows, his signing might just be the move that sets off a chain reaction, bringing Real Madrid back to the pinnacle of European football.

So, Real Madrid, are you ready to roll the dice?

⌚The Beginning:

Cole Palmer and Phil Foden’s journeys started similarly at Manchester City’s youth academy. Both players showcased immense potential, dazzling with their technical skills and vision. Despite their shared background, their careers took dramatically different paths.

During their time together at City, Palmer often played second fiddle to Foden. While Foden became Guardiola's golden boy, Palmer was seen as a promising talent who lacked a clear path to consistent first-team football.

🧠Pep’s Gamble:

In a surprising move, Pep Guardiola chose to sell Palmer to Chelsea in the summer transfer window. This decision puzzled many, as Palmer’s versatility and vision seemed like a perfect fit for City. By keeping Foden, Pep doubled down on his trust in Foden’s ability to fill key roles.

Guardiola’s gamble was bold but risky, as Palmer’s Chelsea performances have raised questions about what City may have lost. While City retained their faith in Foden, Palmer quickly showed he could have offered something unique.

🔥Explosion:

Since joining Chelsea, Palmer has taken the Premier League by storm, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s brightest young talents. His performances have been marked by maturity, precision, and an ability to thrive under pressure. Palmer’s goals and assists have already played a significant role in Chelsea’s resurgence.

Not only has he become a fan favorite, but Palmer has also proven he can deliver consistently. In his short time at Chelsea, he’s racked up impressive statistics that are on par with, if not better than, Foden’s at City this season.

DataMB recorded more key passes (85.7), attacking actions (72.9), assists (89.4), expected goals and assists (99.0), and progressive carries than Phil Phoden in the 2023/2-24 season.

Not to say Foden is still very much the talent everyone including Pep thought he was. He is, just, Cole Palmer is making it clear he might be better.

Foden anchored City’s charge for the Premier League title, scoring a career-high 19 league goals along with eight (8) assists over the course of the last season’s league campaign. The 24-year-old was also a standout in Europe, finishing City’s Champions League campaign with five (5) goals and three (3) assists in only eight (8) appearances.

Foden, a two-time winner of the PFA Young Player of the Year Award, claimed the prize in both 2021 and 2022 but after that particular performance last season, he went on to claim the Professional Footballers' Association men's player of the year award for the first time.

For the same season, his former teammate, Cole Palmer claimed the  PFA Young Player of the Year Award prize for the first time following an exceptional season, having 22 goals and 11 assists to his name, for the Blues after his move to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City.

According to DataMB, in the 2024/2025 season, made more key passes (99.6), progressive passes (63.9), progressive carries (86.1) and won more duels (64.7) and more defensive actions (5.8) than Phil Foden.

👀The Difference:

Palmer’s game differs from Foden’s in key ways, making him a standout talent. Unlike Foden, who thrives in fluid attacking roles, Palmer excels with composure and control, dictating the tempo and delivering decisive passes. He possesses a calm, clinical edge that Foden sometimes lacks in high-stakes situations.

While Foden’s most impressive qualities are his shooting ability and how he protects the ball in his possession, Palmer’s vision which makes him an incredible creator from deep, his dribbling, decision-making set him apart. Why because Palmer has shown from his games that he can match Foden’s shooting and ball retention.

According to Squawka, in this ongoing season of 2024/2025, Cole Palmer from the 9 games he has played for Chelsea in the EPL, 3 more than Foden, has more goals (7-0), winning goals (2-0), non-penalty goals (6-0), assist (5-0), chances created (24-11), and take-ons (9-3) than Foden.

As a matter of fact, he does not only out-perform Phil Foden in basically every single metric, but he makes the case that Man City and Pep Guardiola may have bet on the wrong horse and kept the player they thought was him.

🔗You can follow & check out today’s Palmer & Foden games on MSport.