‘He’s working hard’ – Umtiti calls for patience as Paul Pogba navigates difficult Monaco comeback

Former France defender Samuel Umtiti has appealed for understanding and patience from supporters as Paul Pogba attempts to rebuild his career following a prolonged absence from competitive football.

The AS Monaco midfielder’s long-awaited return has suffered another setback after injury halted his progress, raising fresh concerns about the pace of his recovery.

Pogba’s latest appearance came in early December, marking only a brief glimpse of a comeback that had already been delayed by persistent injury problems and a doping suspension that kept him away from top-level football for more than two years.

Expectations surrounding the former Manchester United and Juventus star remain high, but Umtiti believes the circumstances demand realism rather than pressure.

Having recently spoken with his former international teammate, Umtiti revealed that Pogba remains fully committed to regaining fitness despite the physical challenges accompanying his return.

“I spoke with him and I know he’s working incredibly hard.

“It’s normal for his body to react like this. But he’s not giving up, and I think he’ll be able to come back and play a few matches. When I saw him return, I thought, wow, this is going to be tough.

“His body needs to get back into shape, but we shouldn’t expect him to play 20 matches in a row. If he still believes he can do it, we should let him go all the way, it’s that simple.”