Monaco’s CEO Acknowledges Challenges with Paul Pogba’s Situation

Monaco’s CEO has admitted that the initial plans concerning Paul Pogba are not coming to fruition, as the former French international has only managed to play for 30 minutes since his arrival at the club last summer.

Background on Pogba’s Transfer

The 32-year-old midfielder, previously with Manchester United and Juventus, signed a two-year deal with Monaco in hopes of reviving a career that has been significantly impacted by injuries and a doping suspension. Pogba’s recent challenges include a left calf injury incurred during training, preventing him from playing for the past month.

Key Highlights

• Pogba has played only his first match in two years following a doping ban.
• A summary of confirmed transfers in the Premier League this January.

Pogba faced extensive physical setbacks and made his debut for Monaco only at the end of November.

Current Statements from Monaco’s CEO

“The strategy we initially laid out for Paul is not yielding the results we anticipated,” stated Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro during a recent interview. “He is understandably frustrated with his situation and desires to contribute more and increase his playtime.”

Pogba felt a surge of emotion upon signing with Monaco, which is currently facing its own difficulties, sitting in ninth place in Ligue 1 and trailing the leaders by 17 points.

Future Prospects for Pogba

Scuro remains optimistic about Pogba’s return to form and potential impact on the team but hinted at certain conditions in his contract that could result in a shorter tenure at the club. “If the situation does not improve, we can revisit this discussion in the summer to explore the next steps,” he remarked. “However, our focus right now is to resolve these issues and reintegrate him into the squad.”

A Look Back at Pogba’s Career

In 2016, Pogba set a then-record transfer fee of €105 million (about $116 million) upon returning to Manchester United from Juventus. As a World Cup champion, he has played 91 matches for the French national team, netting 11 goals. Pogba was once considered among Europe’s elite midfielders, known for his exceptional technique, physicality, stamina, and versatility.

His last appearance for France occurred nearly four years ago during a friendly against South Africa, and an ongoing knee issue forced him to miss the 2022 World Cup.

At the height of his career, Pogba played a pivotal role in France’s 2018 World Cup victory, scoring in the final against Croatia.

Currently, he harbors hopes of re-establishing himself in the French national team ahead of this year’s World Cup in North America, although achieving that goal now seems increasingly difficult.

Pogba’s career faced a major setback in February 2024 when he received a four-year ban from Italy’s anti-doping authority after testing positive for testosterone while with Juventus. This penalty was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in October 2024.