Pogba and Griezmann are best friends who bond over video games and NBA. Their rapport is huge for France
On Monday, the first thing Paul Pogba did when he arrived at Clairefontaine, the France training base a 45-minute drive south of Paris, just before noon was knock on Antoine Griezmann's bedroom door to say hello to his best mate. It wasn't that far for the Man United midfielder to walk, really. His best friend's room is right opposite his. It used to be Patrice Evra's room, but Griezmann claimed it when "Uncle Pat" left the national team.cheap nike nfl jerseys free shipping
When they are together with France, Griezmann and Pogba are inseparable. They play video games for hours, usually in Griezmann's bedroom. They watch NBA games, usually in Pogba's room. Together, they drove the whole NBA-style world champions rings initiative and put together a lovely, little ceremony for their teammates on Tuesday.
The pair sit next to each other at lunch and dinner around the big, rectangular table in the dining room. Pogba was also right by his mate when he turned 28 on Thursday, and a cake was given to him while everybody sang "Joyeux Anniversaire."
On Friday at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau, they sat next to each other in the dressing room, as usual. To open the scoring against Moldova that night, they combined for the first goal with a wonderful one-two with a chipped ball from "la Pioche" for a superb volley by "Grizi" after just 24 minutes. Later, it was a free kick from the latter and a header from the former, though it didn't go in. Griezmann also delivered an assist for Raphael Varane on France's second goal, and Pogba, who touched the ball 142 times in 90 minutes, the highest tally for a France player since 2011, was everywhere and could have easily scored or assisted too.
When Pogba and Griezmann are in this kind of form and in this kind of mood and they find each other so easily, they carry Les Bleus easily. Their bond off the field has helped forge a very strong understanding on it. As they reminded everyone in Moldova, they can find each other with their eyes closed.china nike nfl jerseys cheap
Didier Deschamps encourages them to be close. He knows what a strength it is for his team to have such a strong partnership at its core. Once the head coach settled on his current -- and preferred -- 4-4-2 formation, he knew that having Pogba, as one of the two central midfielders, and Griezmann, up front alongside Olivier Giroud, so close to each other on the pitch in terms of positioning could only benefit the team and their performances. Both have a more central role than they might in a 4-3-3 formation, and often Griezmann will drop deep to get the ball, getting even closer to Pogba, who will naturally use his friend as a first option for a forward pass. Griezmann's intelligent movement is also perfect for Pogba, who looks to find him between the lines.
