Why Monaco have gambled on 'wildcard' Pogba

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When Paul Pogba received a four-year ban for doping in February 2024, discussions centered not only on the ‘if’ regarding his return but also on the ‘when’ we would witness the French player's comeback.

The situation shifted in October when his suspension was reduced to 18 months through an appeal, effectively eliminating the uncertainty of ‘if.’ The lingering question of ‘when’ was still partially left unanswered, but the focus then turned to ‘where’ Pogba would choose to play.

The clarity came at the end of June when an emotional Pogba officially signed a two-year contract in the picturesque village of La Turbie.

Not having participated in a match since September 2023, the 32-year-old found his way back to professional football with AS Monaco, which was not the only club interested—many others remained cautious as they awaited the end of his ban in March.

Speculation surrounded potential moves to teams in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, as well as clubs within his home country of France.

"We considered [signing Pogba], and we were eager to do so," remarked Marseille's sporting director Medhi Benatia in February. "However, the issue arises if we want to sign a Pogba who isn't fit yet—does it truly make sense to disrupt our balance?"

While Benatia did not dismiss the possibility of an approach, they ultimately decided against it due to substantial concerns over the player's fitness.

AS Monaco, however, proceeded. Pogba's availability to join without a transfer fee after his Juventus contract’s termination influenced the principality club's choice—although, as highlighted by Monaco's chief executive Thiago Scuro, "free agents come with salary costs too."

In light of the financial difficulties affecting the French football scene, Monaco, like other clubs, remains vigilant for market prospects, with Pogba certainly being one of the more appealing options.

Pogba's addition represented a more profound shift in Monaco's strategy, aiming to adjust the age dynamics of the squad.

The club emphasizes creating avenues for their academy talents, with players such as Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Soungoutou Magassa recently progressing to the first team.

They also focus on acquiring young talent. Last summer, their biggest signings—George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa, and Lamine Camara—were all under 20.

Simultaneously, the departures of two seasoned players, Wissam Ben Yedder and Guillermo Maripan, occurred.

By January, Scuro recognized the necessity for change.

"My perception is that during the summer, with the aspirations we had, our squad was growing too youthful,” the Brazilian noted. “Our next step is to bring in performance-oriented players. That is the challenge.”

Efforts to secure England midfielder Jordan Henderson from Ajax fell through in January. Instead, Moatasem Al-Musrati joined the team on loan, but Monaco did not exercise the option to permanently sign the Libyan player.

Monaco's interest in Pogba arose more recently, with 'La Pioche' visiting the club’s facilities in mid-May for discussions with manager Adi Hutter and president Dmitry Rybolovlev.

Also joining the squad this summer on a free transfer from Bayern Munich was former England defender Eric Dier, adding another experienced presence.

"We aim to maintain our focus on a [youth-oriented] strategy, adjusting it slightly but not deviating from it," Scuro stated.

Pogba anticipated his return in October.

Monaco sees Pogba as an individual who can aid the team’s development due to his extensive experience and inherent leadership abilities, which have already manifested during a smooth integration period.

He swiftly established a strong connection with both the veteran and younger players during Les Monegasques' pre-season training in England.

Although Pogba's encouraging influence has been apparent in the locker room, it is hoped that this positivity will translate to the field in due time, regardless of any tendencies to overly depend on the French midfielder.

Apart from Paris St-Germain, it could be said that Monaco already possessed the top midfield in Ligue 1 prior to Pogba's signing.

Thus, he serves as a bit of a wildcard, an added asset, but not someone the team needs to rush back for necessity's sake.

This suits the current situation, as Pogba is not yet ready to play. At the beginning of June, the midfielder expressed a desire to face his former club, Le Havre, on the season's opening day.

However, Scuro promptly managed expectations.

"I can assure you he won't be taking the field against Le Havre. We need to be realistic here. We anticipate a recovery process of about three months," he remarked.

This timeline would allow Pogba the chance to participate in his first professional match in over two years around early October.

'It is quite unusual for me to cry like that.'

Monaco and the rest of Ligue 1 will look to take advantage of Pogba's reputation in the meantime.

At the time of his introduction, more than half of the jerseys ordered by Monaco featured the World Cup champion's name, and the social media buzz surrounding his arrival amassed 400 million impressions.

Rennes coach Habib Beye and Brest coach Eric Roy have commended the acquisition, as has league president Vincent Labrune.

"The league will gain from his talent, charisma, and his global profile," he noted.

Should Pogba regain his previous form, Monaco will benefit on the field, although that remains uncertain.

Long before his ban, the Frenchman had been plagued by various injuries for an extended period, and he even confessed to consulting a witch doctor for assistance.

Pogba made that admission after his brother, Mathias, accused him of enlisting a witch doctor to curse Kylian Mbappe before PSG's Champions League round of 16 match against Manchester United in 2019.

These allegations were part of a broader extortion case that dates back to the midfielder's time at Manchester United.

In March 2022, he was abducted by masked individuals who demanded a ransom of 13 million euros (£11.3 million). His brother received a three-year prison sentence, with two years suspended.

Pogba feels that this challenging period had an effect on his performance on the field.

"It is all interrelated," he remarked during his presentation, which he commenced by discussing the emotions he felt upon signing with Monaco.

"If the mindset is positive, success will follow on the field. It is quite uncommon for me to show such emotion, so I hope you appreciated it. A flood of memories came rushing back to me.

"We are aware of the doping issues, my injury… everything flooded back to me at the moment of signing, and I was unable to contain my feelings. It was a moment filled with happiness."

Having endured a difficult period away from the spotlight in football, Pogba is now ready to embrace a new chapter in his career and looks forward to a fresh beginning.

"I engaged in conversations with several individuals [during my suspension] who guided me to focus on the present, to disregard the past and future," he mentioned.

Now "more resolved," Pogba also has additional inspiration for his return.

"I wanted my children to witness me playing - my aspiration is to see them celebrate one of my goals with a dab," he quipped.

A significant goal is also to rejoin the national team, and he could hardly be in a better position to increase his 91 caps, with France coach Didier Deschamps' location being just a short distance from Monaco's training facility.

Next summer's World Cup will be Deschamps' last tournament after 14 years at the helm. Pogba was a crucial figure in Les Bleus' 2018 victory in Russia, and with a renewed opportunity and fresh perspective, he might find himself in the squad once more.