Sébastien Pocognoli on Monaco’s Paul Pogba: ‘He hasn’t lost his footballing abilities, but…’ | OneFootball

Paul Pogba (32) is yet to make his AS Monaco debut, having joined the Principality club back at the end of June.

Upon signing a two-year deal at Monaco, a three-month programme was set in motion to bring the Frenchman back to match fitness. It comes after what has now become an absence of over two years. His last game came for Juventus back in September 2023, prior to his ban.

Pogba was nearing a return at the start of November before a grade two ankle sprain put paid to those plans. A return against Stade Rennais is a possibility. With his return nearing, focus now turns towards what version of Pogba we will see. 

Speaking on RMC Sport show Rothen s’enflamme, Sébastien Pocognoli gave an indication of Pogba’s current state. “He is training hard. Nostalgia is logical because he is a legend of the French game,” said the Monaco manager, who came in to replace Adi Hutter back in October. 

However, there are naturally uncertainties, given the period of time that the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder has gone without playing. “I think he will still bring us a lot, if his body allows […] he has not lost his footballing abilities, but there also has to be a motor to allow him to show those qualities. If we put everything properly in place, not just the club, but the player too, and Paul is doing as much as he can, I think we can see him at a very good level again,” added Pocognoli.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle