Deschamps urges Pogba to be more neutral midfielder

The 23-year-old has been a key member of Deschamps' squad since making his debut three years ago and his versatility has raised expectations of his country repeating their 1984 European-title winning campaign on home soil.

(Reuters)

However, Deschamps said the 2014 World Cup's best young player can become even more effective.

"People expect too much of him because he has above-average technique," Deschamps told UEFA's website (www.uefa.com).

"He's not there to make the crowd rise every time he touches the ball. I've told him that sometimes he needs to play in a neutral way. He's a midfielder, not a number 10."

Pogba hopes to emulate Deschamps, who captained France to World Cup glory in 1998.

"He always gives me the advice I need to improve. I want to progress. I want to become a great player, a top player like he was," the Juventus player told the UEFA's website.

France start their Euro 2016 campaign against Romania on Friday before taking on Albania and Switzerland.

(Reporting by Nivedita Shankar in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)