The joy was short-lived. Returning from the dead to AS Monaco this summer, after two years of absence and a suspension for doping, Paul Pogba did not meet the many expectations that the world of football placed on him. Although he managed to return to competition for three matches for just 30 minutes of play, the midfielder has continued to suffer physical problems since his arrival on the Côte d’Azur.
The French international has not played again since December 5 due to a left calf injury and has still not returned to training with ASM. What raises questions about his real ability to return to the highest level? The sporting director of the principality club Thiago Scuro explained himself on the sidelines of the presentation of his new defender Wout Faes this Wednesday.
“There are a lot of things in his contract and I cannot reveal them,” the Brazilian leader told journalists. Clearly, the recovery program we had for him is not working as we would have hoped. Everyone continues to work hard to find solutions for them. We are all disappointed that he is having so much difficulty connecting and gaining minutes. We must always adapt plans according to the circumstances we encounter. As you know, there was nothing serious, just a few glitches in different places. But we continue to fight to see him again as soon as possible, as we said to each other last summer. »
An early departure this summer?
A complicated situation, especially since Paul Pogba’s salary, estimated at 320,000 euros per month, weighs heavily in the Monegasque balance. “Apart from Paris, everyone is in survival mode from a financial point of view,” Scuro explained a little earlier, referring to the financial crisis hitting French football. The ASM, which has lost nearly 30 million euros in TV rights in two years, could well make a radical decision this summer regarding the future of “La Pioche”.
“The relationship is very honest between Paul and the club. We have to continue to push him and he continues to believe in himself. There are two possibilities: either it works, he will return to the field and he will have an impact on the team, or it does not work and, of course, both parties can sit around the table next summer to have a new discussion. But now is not the time to discuss it, because we are working to find the solution. »
