Former Manchester United and Juventus star Paul Pogba joined Monaco in the summer but is still waiting to make his debut at the Ligue 1 club following a managerial change
AS Monaco manager Sebastian Pognoli believes Paul Pogba still has the technique he showed in the past with Manchester United, Juventus and France. However, he recognized that the situation with the French national team was different from that of some of his teammates.
Pogba has not played senior competitive football for over two years. During his second spell at Juventus, he tested positive for a banned substance and was sentenced to a four-year ban, but his sentence was reduced on appeal after it was ruled that he had not intentionally committed a doping violation.
The 32-year-old midfielder was brought to Stade Louis II when Adi Hütter was manager, but the Austrian was sacked at the beginning of October. Pocognoli will be in charge from the dugout, with Pogba on the verge of being called up for domestic competitions and the Champions League.
“Even though he has been out for a long time, Paul is closer to returning than Denis (also midfielder Denis Zakaria),” Pocognoli said. “I said this week would be spent answering some more questions, and every day is part of that process.
“For now, things are going well. It will take some time for him to come back into the group. Once he comes back, we need to work together to evaluate him as a player. Paul at Manchester United, or his first days at Juventus, go back a few years now.”
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Reflecting on the differences between Pogba and his team-mates, Pocognoli added: “Every player develops with age and experience, so we have to judge him based on his background and age. As far as I can see, he still has the technique that we know. The rhythm of the game will give the answers to all these questions.”
“He can become the best version of himself at AS Monaco. In any case, my role is to try to bring him to that level and stimulate all his qualities and potential. It’s the same for any player, but it’s different for him. I want to get the most out of what he can offer us.”
Pocognoli started the season with Belgian club Union SG and is unbeaten in three Ligue 1 games. Also, in his first Champions League match with his new employers, he drew 0-0 at home to Tottenham Hotspur, earning him a point.
Most recently, they came out on top 5-3 in an away thriller against Nantes. The three points were enough to move Pocognoli’s side into second place in Ligue 1, one point behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Monaco’s next home game will be 12th place Paris FC against the Principality. This will be followed by a Champions League trip to Bodø/Glimt, with the new manager aiming for his first win in the competition.
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