AS Monaco are not expecting Paul Pogba to make his debut until October, as the club adopts a measured approach to reintegrating the veteran midfielder into competitive football.
The French-Guinean star has been out of action for nearly two years, following a doping suspension and fitness setbacks that have stalled his career since leaving Juventus.
Now 32, Pogba is eager to return to elite-level football and has been training individually since his release from the Italian club last November.
Despite the midfielder’s urgency to return, Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro has confirmed the club will not rush his comeback, stressing the need for realism over sentiment.
“I can guarantee he won’t be on the pitch against Le Havre. We are here to be realistic. We expect a three-month process,” Scuro told media.
“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.”
The delay means Pogba’s first appearance for Monaco is likely to come in early October, giving him time to rebuild sharpness after a prolonged absence from both the pitch and structured team training.
His signing is seen as a calculated risk by the Principality club. While Pogba offers leadership, creativity, and a wealth of experience, his ability to keep pace with Monaco’s high-tempo system remains uncertain at this stage of his career.
The World Cup winner joins a reshaped Monaco squad that includes former England defender Eric Dier and Spanish talent Ansu Fati, from Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively, in what the club hopes will be a balanced blend of youth and experience.
