Could one of these Chelsea and Newcastle stars replace Paul Pogba?

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Nemanja Matic

A far more defensive player than Pogba, Matic nevertheless shares his physical presence and authority in the middle of the park. Matic was a ball-winning midfielder par excellence in Chelsea’s championship winning season of 2014-15, only to cut a rather timid and uncertain figure last season.

His decline in form was a crucial factor in Chelsea’s dismal title defence. Without the same protection in front of them as the previous season, Gary Cahill and John Terry looked far from secure. There has been talk that Chelsea might look to move the Serbian on this summer.

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You do not become a bad player overnight however, and Matic would prove an excellent acquisition for any Champions League team and Juventus are said to be interested.

Matic could occupy a deeper role in front of the back three and allow Brazilian midfielder Hernanes further license get forward in Pogba’s absence. Matic also has the technical ability and defensive nous to drop back into defence should the need arise also.

Moussa Sissoko

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Sissoko was France’s most impressive performer in the European Championship final against Portugal and will be keen to avoid a long, hard slog in the Championship with Newcastle. Not of the same calibre of the two other candidates, Sissoko would be taking a serious step up were he to swap the black and white stripes of Newcastle for those of Juventus.

Though his form fluctuates significantly, on a good day, Sissoko’s direct running and bombastic style is a genuine threat to opponents. He can also put in a shift on either flank, which could prove useful in Allegri’s 3-5-2 system which demands a great deal from the wing-backs.

Sissoko is also a strong runner without the ball, which means he is a decent counter-attacking asset. He can be something of a free-spirit however, and whether he’d be able to settle amid the tactical vigour and attritional style of Italian football is doubtful. Nevertheless, he is a viable and credible alternative.

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