Paul Pogba’s drive intact but Monaco doubts deepen after injury-hit season | OneFootball

Paul Pogba remains determined to regain his level, yet belief inside Monaco has waned after an injury-hit first season of six appearances and 115 minutes.

Former assistant Damien Perrinelle said: "It was a gamble, not lost because it spans two seasons. Late in the season training was starting to look better. But if you expect the Paul Pogba of 2018, it will be complicated," he told RMC.

He joined a year ago to surprise and mixed feelings, excitement at a star rebooting in Ligue 1, and scepticism after more than two years without playing. That doubt persisted through a campaign of recurrent setbacks.

A three-month phased return was repeatedly delayed in the autumn. An ankle problem in late October, then a left calf injury in December, sidelined him for three months, leaving only 4% of Ligue 1 minutes.

Performance lead Vadim Khetagov, installed by president Dimitri Rybolovlev, targeted revivals for Pogba and Ansu Fati. Fati hit 12 goals in 30 matches, and Monaco moved to trigger a €11m option with a four-year deal nearing completion.

For Pogba, the programme has not delivered. According to several sources, the base work was too light.

Doubts sharpened after his first start at Metz on 2 May under the now former coach Sébastien Pocognoli, when his technique contrasted with insufficient physical output. Rybolovlev is said to retain faith, but others are unconvinced, so pre-season data will be scrutinised and a summer review is possible, including expectations for his final contract year, as Filipe Luis weighs his plans.

Source: L'Équipe