Paul Pogba's penalty technique through the years: run-up, placement and success rate

There is only one relevant criterion when assessing penalty-taking technique, and that is whether or not the chosen method makes a player more or less likely to score.

The Panenka - the chip straight down the middle after the goalkeeper has dived - has proven to be extremely effective in the right hands, despite some ludicrous criticism about how 'disrespectful' it is.

Which brings us to the tip-toed, slow motion run up Paul Pogba has employed from the spot so far this season.

The Manchester United midfielder says his aim is to 'stabilise' the goalkeeper, but has been ridiculed by those who feel he is indulging in a meretricious piece of show-boating.

Such value judgements are a matter of individual taste - the more pertinent issue is that two of his four penalties this season were saved, although he did tuck away the rebound against Everton.

So how successful has Pogba been with this run-up and is it even a new development?

The numbers

Paul Pogba has taken 11 penalties during his career, not including those in penalty shoot-outs.  Pogba has scored eight and missed three, with two of those misses coming in the last three weeks for United.

Scored: Serbia U19 0 France U19 3, 2012 European U19 Championship

Whistle to contact in 4.93 seconds.

The first of Pogba's penalties we have on record comes from the 2012 Under-19 European Championships in Estonia, as he steps up to put France 2-0 up against Serbia in the group stages.

You guessed it, the run up is slow and it sends the goalkeeper the wrong way. However, it was significantly quicker than the approach we have seen recently - there is little more than four seconds between Pogba starting his run up and making contract. The small steps are a clue for what is to come.

Scored: France U20 3 Greece U20 1, international friendly 2013

Whistle to contact in 5.83 seconds. 

Slightly slower run-up this time but the goalkeeper goes the right way. Struck with less power than Pogba's penalties typically are, but it is right in the side netting low to the goalkeeper's left.

Scored: France U20 4 Uzbekistan U20 0, U20 World Cup 2013

Whistle to contact in 5.86 seconds.

Pogba sticks with his stop-start run up that is starting to get even more drawn out. Sends another goalkeeper the wrong way, and his habit of making eye contact with goalkeeper just before he strikes the ball tends to freeze them on the spot. Eden Hazard does something similar.

Thierry Henry used this tactic with open play finishes. "Whenever a goalkeeper rushes out to meet me, I look at them to make them stop. Once I’ve frozen them, they suddenly realise, ‘Oh, it’s just you and me’, and by the time he thinks this, the ball is gone," the former Arsenal striker said.

Scored: Genoa 0 Juventus 2, Serie A, 2015

Whistle to contact in 8.22 seconds. 

Pogba's slowest run up to date, but it works perfectly as once again the opposing goalkeeper dives the wrong way. Pogba looks like he is shaping to place it to the goalkeeper's left, but wraps his foot around it at the last moment.

Missed: Juventus 2 Atalanta 0, Serie A, 2015

Whistle to contact in 6.55 seconds. 

The first penalty miss of Pogba's career, though interestingly he quickened his run-up slightly from Genea just a month before. Davide Bassi was not buying the dummy and stood his ground.

Scored: Manchester United 4 Fenerbahce 1, Europa League 2016

Whistle to contact in in 4.35 seconds. 

Pogba's first penalty for United was converted in unerring fashion against Fenerbahce in the Europa League. Significantly swifter in his approach than in recent weeks, because the run-up starts from inside the area. There is also markedly more acceleration into the strike.

Scored: Manchester United 2 Leicester 1, Premier League 2018

Whistle to contact in 7.2 seconds. 

Notably slower than his first penalty for United, and because it was live on a Friday night in the first Premier League game of the season all eyes were on Pogba. After his World Cup triumph and rumours that he wanted out of United growing ever louder, he responded by slamming this penalty into the top right-hand corner.

Scored: Brighton 3 Manchester United 2, Premier League 2018

Whistle to contact in 3.2 seconds. 

Perhaps because United were running out of time, Pogba decided to get a move on with this one. A couple of short steps at the start of his run-up, but then a breaks intol a full stride a good five yards short of the ball. It worked a treat as Pogba slammed the ball into the roof of the net but United came away with nothing.

Scored: Young Boys 0 Manchester United 3, Champions League 2018

Whistle to contact in 8.53 seconds. 

Until his Everton effort, this 26-step run up was a personal best (or some might say worst). There were whistles from the home fans as Pogba sneaked up on the ball, but they were soon silenced. Almost a carbon copy of his Leicester penalty, opening his body out to find the top right.

Missed: Manchester United 2 Everton 1, Premier League 2018

Whistle to contact in 9.96 seconds

Usain Bolt's world 100-metre record was faster than the time it took Pogba, and Jordan Pickford kept it out. Pogba's run up is straighter and he appeared to make a last minute decision to switch corners from right to left. Was far too central but fortune was on Pogba's side and he adjusted to score the rebound.

In conclusion....

Small steps and stuttered run-ups have always been part of Pogba's technique, this is not a new accessory in a big to garner attention.

Pogba has a sound record from the spot, and is able to generate maximum power with minimal effort and back-lift.

As long as Pogba's penalties go in, nobody will care whether he hops, skips or jumps his way to the ball.