Would play Pogba in a Pirlo-ish kind of regista role? I would play him in a more AM role with defensive duties because I think that's where his talents lie.
Well, to me, he's the most logical replacement for Pirlo. I think Vidal could do it to but you are wasting his box-to-box energy and also his passing can sometimes be erratic. But Pogba wouldn't be playing like Pirlo anyways, as he has the ability to actually move up field with *the team*. Key words there. He won't act as an anchor way back in front of the defence.
When you want to counter, he can actually counter, he can take one touch and play a pass and *move up*. When the fullbacks are looking to pick a pass, maybe Pogba sheds a defender by moving *across midfield* not backwards. He helps us pressure the opponent better by being more threatening towards goal.
I think Pogba's best defensive work is done centrally, and mostly in midfield. He's great with anticipation and physicality in the air. Higher up the pitch, you need more of the pitbull type who can just impose themselves without the ball like Vidal who you can sometimes see running from player to player.
Also one other thing from Pogba that I really like is his side to side range. For example, Di Maria cutting across our backline would never in a million years be able to go east to west against Pogba, he's like an octopus or something. Even if he has to slide, he's going to force you to take your last touch into some area you don't want to just because of his length and acceleration.
And then again with his physicality and ability to deal with pressure. I think at this point he's comfortable in using his body to take on a pressing player in order to turn and switch play, something Pirlo just cannot do anymore. And add to this his ability to make long passes that Marchisio and Vidal probably can't do with the same regularity. And then of course, his familiarity with the position from his France NT exploits. Seems a logical solution.
Having a DM like Pogba is just a step into the modern game. Of course, if we field our most athletic players, he won't be chained to his position as you could imagine Vidal or Asamoah or even Tevez having the fuel to track back if he marauds up field.