CAMEL.LIVE reports that after an 811-day absence from competitive football, Paul Pogba made his comeback as a substitute, playing 9 minutes in last week’s match against Rennes. However, he has not yet met the requirements for a starting spot and is expected to remain on the bench in Monaco’s crucial home game against Paris Saint-Germain this week.
Despite his long layoff, Pogba’s popularity remains undiminished. Whether it was away fans chanting his name during the empty-stadium match in Cyprus or the Rennes crowd applauding every touch he made, it reflects the influence of this former World Cup winner. His attention in the next game may even surpass that of Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé from Paris.
On the competitive front, with key midfielder Denis Zakaria suspended for two games, Monaco is in urgent need of Pogba to fill the void. Zakaria himself stated that Pogba’s technical ability and deterrence still exist, and once he regains his form, he will be enough to intimidate opponents.
However, head coach Sebastian Pocognoli insists on a "step-by-step" usage strategy. He explained that Pogba was not fielded in the Champions League match on Wednesday because the team was under pressure and needed to inject attacking vitality, while Pogba currently leans more towards a defensive role. Pocognoli emphasized that adjustments must be made gradually based on physical data, hoping to "steadily increase" his playing time.
In the locker room, Pogba has won the trust of his teammates with his cheerful personality and rich experience, often offering advice to young players. Although his teammates hope he will take on more leadership responsibilities, he humbly stated that a leadership position needs to be established through sufficient playing time, so he remains low-key for now.
