‘It would be the biggest bonus of all’ – Paul Pogba targets France return | OneFootball

Paul Pogba (33) joined AS Monaco last summer, partially with a view to returning to the France set-up. The two-year deal signed with the Principality club was his first contract following a doping ban. When he signed last June, he did so in tears. However, his return to football has not been easy.

It was difficult to imagine him hitting the heights of yesteryear, however, with just six appearances, one start, and 115 minutes accumulated, La Pioche fell below expectations. Naturally, his performances were not enough to get him back into the France set-up. 

But the former Juventus and Manchester United midfielder still holds onto that dream of a return in Bleu. “I didn’t come to Monaco saying: ‘I am coming to play in the World Cup’. It has been a long time since I have played [for France]. My objective was just to return to competition, to be good again physically,” began Pogba in an interview with L’Équipe.

He continued, “A return to France and a World Cup? It would be the biggest bonus of all,” said the 2018 world champion. “First of all, I have to feel good. When you perform well with your club, you have a better chance of playing for France.”

Pogba was then asked what he lacked to earn a place in Didier Deschamps’ final World Cup squad. “Rhythm,” he responded. “We won’t talk about technique because the coaches and players see that in training. It is more physical, especially when you accumulate little niggles, including before my suspension. I need to feel good. It is what I need to get back to the top level. The France national team is a bonus. It is still my dream to wear this jersey. You have to deserve it.”

Pogba has one year remaining on his deal at Monaco. His future has been called into question, although Damien Perrinelle, an assistant at the club last season before departing last month, said that “the idea” was for the Frenchman to see out his deal with Les Monégasques. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle