Paul Pogba, James Rodriguez and Mario Balotelli are all overrated, according to former Real Madrid and AS Roma forward Antonio Cassano.
The former pair are two the most expensive players in the history of football, with the Frenchman rejoining Manchester United last summer for a fee in the region of £89million and has split opinion among fans as well as the media alike since his return.
Along with Balotelli – formerly of Liverpool and AC Milan – Pogba’s is represented by Mino Raiola and Cassano believes the pair have benefited from being associated with the Italian-born Dutch football agent and also question the price-tag of the Real Madrid star.
“Three over-rated players? Pogba, James Rodriguez and Balotelli,” Cassano told Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by Football Italia.
“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.”
Pogba has endured a mixed first season back at Old Trafford as he hasn’t quite lived up to his price-tag but has completed more passes than any player across the entire Premier League this season and has created more chances than any United player.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez has had to be patient for a chance at the Santiago Bernabeu this season but has found the back of the net six times – including a goal in last weekend’s El Clasico and a brace in 6-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna.
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