Why Paul Pogba is not playing for Monaco vs Tottenham in Champions League as major update emerges
Former Manchester United midfielder Pogba has yet to feature for Monaco since signing for the club in the summer.
Paul Pogba will not feature for Monaco against Tottenham in the Champions League on Wednesday
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is closing in on a return to competitive football – but Monaco’s Champions League tie with Tottenham will come too soon.
The France international has yet to play for the French side since signing over the summer having been given the go-ahead to return to action following a doping ban that was reduced from four years to 18 months.
Pogba has been building up his fitness since signing for Monaco and there had been hopes that he would feature when domestic football resumed after the October international break.
But he suffered a setback and although he is training with the first team squad, he is not yet ready for action.
“Paul is training but not fully,” said new Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli ahead of the Champions League clash with Spurs. “I think the process for Paul is a process to make everything step by step. (On Monday) he joined with the group for the first time under my coaching.
“He was smiling, he was enjoying and interacting with the players. For me, this is the first step and this step can take days, can take two to three weeks and then we can build on this through performance and the consistency.
“So, yeah, that is the first step and here we are. That is the situation, but I am very pleased, for sure, to see him on the pitch.”
Still only 32, Monaco knew it would be a waiting game for Pogba when they signed him. Speaking in July, Monaco’s General Director, Thiago Scuro, said: “We expect a three-month process. High-level sport is a lot about science and it is not easy. Monaco is one of the most intense teams in Ligue 1 and play a style that requires him to be fit.”
Pogba himself knew it would be a long road to a first team return when he joined Monaco. Speaking after signing in July, he said: “I definitely want to get back on the pitch, but I can’t be in too much of a hurry.
“Sometimes kids want things right away, but management told me they’d take the time to get me in top shape. I’m here first and foremost to help the team, but I won’t be able to do it at 50%.
“So I really want to take the time I need to contribute and listen to the club.
“I’m really determined once again to get a feel for the pitch and the ball again, but we’ll take the time we need for that.”
