Pogba’s Challenging Return to Football at Monaco

Paul Pogba made his return to football by joining AS Monaco in June on a free transfer. This marked his comeback after serving a four-year doping ban, which was reduced to eighteen months upon appeal. He joined the French club subsequent to terminating his contract with Juventus.

Pogba made his debut for Monaco in November, coming on as a late substitute in a 4-1 defeat to Rennes. This appearance was significant as it was his first competitive match since 2023. However, injuries have plagued him since his return, limiting his playtime to just thirty minutes in the current season.

Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, expressed that Pogba’s start at Monaco has been frustrating, acknowledging the possibility of the former France international considering a move in the summer. Despite signing a two-year contract, Scuro noted the challenging circumstances surrounding Pogba’s adaptation. He stated, “The program and the plan for Paul are not working as we initially expected. He is quite disturbed by his struggles and desires to increase his playing minutes. If things do not improve, we can certainly discuss his future in the summer, but for now, our focus is on finding solutions to help him return to form.”

Former player Louis Saha weighed in on Pogba’s prospects, suggesting Wrexham could be a viable option for his future. He remarked, “The French league is extremely challenging, and Pogba has been hindered by injuries. We all hope to see him at his best, as he could potentially rejoin the France squad for the World Cup. He is at a crucial juncture in February and March, and it remains uncertain whether he will stay in the Premier League. He needs to carefully consider his future. Monaco has provided a solid platform for him to improve, and we will see how he progresses over the summer. If he has a strong season, I am confident other clubs will show interest.”

Pogba has not featured for Monaco since a 1-0 loss to Brest earlier in December. He missed the recent match against Real Madrid in the Champions League, where Monaco suffered a heavy defeat of 6-1 at the Bernabeu. He will hope to make a significant impact in the latter half of the 2025-26 season. Monaco’s next fixture in Ligue 1 is scheduled for Saturday against Le Havre, followed by a clash with Pogba’s former club, Juventus, in their final Champions League group stage match.