Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, with the first opportunity to address Pogba’s doping suspension being reduced on appeal, Motta explained that Juventus will need to take stock of the player and his level after such a long period. of absence.
Pogba has not played since September 2023 after failing a drugs test, earning him a four-year ban. This duration was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday, allowing Pogba to return to training in January and be eligible to return to the field in March. Due to a series of injuries that blighted his first season with Juventus, Pogba has only started one football match in the last two and a half years. A start – against Cremonese in May 2023 – which lasted only 24 minutes due to a setback due to an injury.
Motta doesn’t think about it
“On Paul Pogba, the club will evaluate what to do. As for me, Pogba was a great player, who hasn’t played for a long time. Now I’m focusing on tomorrow’s game and everything else doesn’t matter much to me right now.t. “, estimates Thiago Motta for his part.
Juventus have learned to cope without Pogba, having their best season in four years in 2023-24. Having not even been allowed to train at the club during his ban, he needs to ensure he works hard on his fitness now to prepare for January, when he can rejoin his teammates. Pogba will turn 32 four days after the ban ends, if Pogba can’t bounce back quickly his career at a big club is likely over.
