Initially hoped for mid-October, Paul Pogba's return has not yet taken place. Recruited this summer by AS Monaco, the French midfielder is still in the rehabilitation phase. His trainer, Sébastien Pocognioli, spoke about the situation, but also clarified the expectations to have regarding him.
Present in front of the press on the eve of his team's trip to Nantes (9:05 p.m., 10th day of Ligue 1), the Belgian coach responded to the duration of “La Pioche's” absence.
“I expect in the short term to be able to see him again among the selection. » Then Sébastien Pocognioli was asked again about what he hoped from his French world champion.
“I think we're going to have to do a process together; judge him on the player he is now. » And the tactician made his audience understand that perhaps they should no longer expect to find the Pogba of the big nights, but especially of his fanfare debut in his previous clubs. “The Paul of Manchester
(United) or his first time at Juventus, which was a few years ago. »
Paul Pogba is his age
And to continue: “Any player in the world evolves according to his age and experience. And I think we will have to judge him exactly on what he is now, with all his baggage, but also his age. » In other words, don't expect to find a Paul Pogba in his “prime” version.
However, Sébastien Pocognioli did not say that Pogba could not contribute anything. Quite the contrary. “What I see is that technically he still has the technique that we know and I think that the pace of the match will give us indications in relation to all these questions. (…) He can be the best version of himself in Monaco, in relation to who he is and his age. » So we just have to wait. Again.
