Paul Pogba has not played an official match since the summer of 2023. Two years away from the field, between suspension for doping and repeated injuries. But things are finally moving towards Monaco. Sébastien Pocognoli, the club's coach, has just released information which gives hope to La Pioche fans. This Tuesday, on the eve of the Monaco-Tottenham clash in the Champions League, the Belgian technician spoke about the situation of the French midfielder. And for the first time in a long time, the message is positive. Very positive indeed.
Pogba, how long until the return?
Paul Pogba has returned to collective training. “Yesterday he trained collectively for the first time since I arrived. He smiled, he enjoyed, he interacted with the other players. This is the first step,” Pocognoli said. A crucial step after months of struggle. La Pioche had seen his return to competition, initially planned for the beginning of October against Nice then Angers, postponed due to a muscular alert in the quadriceps of the right thigh. A new tile which had dampened hopes. But this time, the 2018 world champion finally seems to be on the right track.
Pocognoli, however, recalled that the process remains gradual. “It might take a few days, two or three weeks, and then we can build on that for performance and consistency. That’s the situation, I’m excited to see him on the pitch. » In other words, we do not yet know precisely when Pogba will play again. But collective training is a milestone reached. Thiago Scuro, general director of the club, tried to soften the latest setback: “It’s not the end of the world. This is the first negative episode since we started the process with him. » Now everyone hopes that it will be the last.
Things are moving for Pogba: the collective recovery finally established
Responding to Klopp and the skeptics
When he returns to competition, Paul Pogba will have a golden opportunity to respond to his detractors. Many people believed it
” finished “ by football. Jurgen Klopp recently hit the nail on the head in an interview, saying he turned down Manchester United in 2014 because of Pogba. 'Pogba is a sensational player, my God, but this sort of thing doesn't usually work'had blurted out the German. A sting that should not have gone unnoticed. On the field, La Pioche will have complete freedom to prove that he remains capable of shining at the highest level.
The question of the 2026 World Cup also arises. Didier Deschamps never closed the door. “Believe it, yes, but will it be possible? That's all the bad I wish him. He has the mind and the character. He will do everything to return to his best level,” the coach declared in November 2024. Pogba has not worn the blue jersey since March 29, 2022. But if his return goes well in Monaco, who knows? Physical trainer Fabien Richard warned on RMC Sport: “Everyone has Abou Diaby syndrome in mind. He was never able to return to the highest level because his physique was broken all over. » For Pogba, the road remains long. But today he is moving forward.
