Deschamps was the star turn at the Fifa World Cup coaches’ forum in London.
And while Mourinho’s uncomfortable relationship with his £89million midfield star has been a running theme of the new campaign, Deschamps said Pogba is a Manchester United star in waiting.
Deschamps said: “There is an image of Paul as being very individualistic, self-centred and that he only thinks about himself.
“But that’s not true at all – and that is one thing that needs to be said.
“The rest of the world, and even France, has an image of Paul Pogba which does not really reflect the reality of what he is.
“This summer he arrived prepared to do a job, prepared to win.
“He had the mentality of leadership on and off the pitch and became a spokesman for the team. Paul can do that because he is a good speaker.
“He came to the squad to become a world champion and was prepared to do that. He took the whole group with him, the whole squad.”
Mourinho sparked the latest fall-out with Pogba by hinting he needed to transfer his France performances into similar displays at Old Trafford.
Pogba has scored four goals in seven appearances this term including two in the midweek Champions League win at Young Boys Bern.
But United are already eight points off the Prem pace after just six games and Deschamps added: “Paul was with us in Brazil in 2014 and for the Euros in 2016.
“He was young then. Now he is 25. For the younger players, the 20-year-olds, he is an example, showing them what they need to do.
“But he’s also a leader among the older group. He is part of them because he has been with them for a long time, worked with them.
“I spoke with Paul about his relationship with the media. He’s unfortunately been criticised and he felt he had to respond to what he saw as a negative vibe.
“But I explained that is part of a career, having a relationship with the media. Coping with that is part of the job.
“Once he took that on board I felt he could become more calm and it has – he has calmed down and taken it on board on and off the pitch and had an impact on his performances.
"The respect he is now getting has had an impact on him.”
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