After an impressive year for both club and country, the Juventus midfielder has snapped up the prize for best player under 21 in Europe.
Paul Pogba has snapped up the 2013 Golden Boy award, given by sports journalists to the player under 21 who has been the most impressive in the year. The 20 year old midfielder, who joined Juventus at the start of the 2012-2013 season, was part of the Old Lady side that captured the scudetto last season, as well as playing for the French side that won the U-20 World Cup.
This season, Pogba has impressed even more. He's been promoted to France's senior squad and has become a near-regular starter for Juventus. Injuries to both Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo have allowed Pogba more exposure, and he's certainly taken advantage. The Frenchman has appeared in each of Juve's 14 league games, starting 11 times and scoring 4 goals thus far. He's also started in all five of his side's Champions League fixtures.
Watching Juventus, it's becoming more and more obvious that Pogba, despite his age, is no longer just the heir apparent in the Old Lady midfield; he is both their present and their future, one of the best on the pitch each time he plays. But Juve have yet to wrap up a contract extension with the youngster, and although the club seem confident of keeping hold of him, this award just might give him a bit more leverage in negotiations.
http://www.sbnation.com/serie-a/2013/12/4/5173884/paul-pogba-wins-golden-boy-award
