Paul Pogba's Anticipated Monaco Debut: Insights From Coach Sebastien Pocognoli

Monaco's head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, remains cautious about Paul Pogba's return to the field. Pogba joined Monaco in June after an 18-month absence due to a doping ban. Since then, injuries have delayed his debut for the club. Despite these setbacks, Pocognoli is hopeful that Pogba is nearing a return, although their upcoming match against Rennes might be too soon for him.

Pogba has not played professionally since September 2023 when he featured in Juventus' victory over Empoli. Initially, his rehabilitation was expected to last three months but was extended. Pocognoli shared with AFP that he prefers a realistic approach when discussing Pogba's progress. "I said we'll judge him based on what he offers now," he stated.

The 32-year-old midfielder aims to secure a spot in Didier Deschamps' squad for the 2026 World Cup. Pogba, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, hopes to regain his form through regular playtime. His past stints at Manchester United and Juventus highlight his potential impact once fully fit.

Pocognoli believes that Pogba can significantly contribute to Monaco by sharing his experience with younger players. "These experienced players must mentor the younger ones," Pocognoli mentioned during an internal meeting. He emphasised the importance of leaders like Pogba in distributing pressure and guiding the team.

Monaco currently holds sixth place in Ligue 1, trailing Paris Saint-Germain by seven points after 12 matches. Pocognoli is optimistic that once Pogba returns, his influence will benefit the team greatly. "If Paul is used effectively, the group can benefit from his influence," he added.

Pocognoli remains grounded about Pogba's return timeline but acknowledges his positive attitude during training sessions. "When he's on the pitch, I see someone who is happy and focused on getting back to the top level," Pocognoli noted confidently.

As Monaco continues its Ligue 1 campaign, all eyes are on Pogba's anticipated return and potential impact on the team's performance this season.