Paul Pogba’s Monaco comeback stalls amid club medical department crisis
Paul Pogba’s highly anticipated return to football with Monaco has been derailed by persistent injuries and a reported crisis within the Ligue 1 club’s medical department.
The 33-year-old joined the principality side on a two-year contract after serving a suspension for a doping violation during his second spell with Juventus.
However, the former Manchester United midfielder has managed a mere 57 minutes of action across five appearances this season.
A persistent calf issue has severely restricted the World Cup winner’s availability and disrupted his attempts to regain match fitness.
Medical department under scrutiny
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro recently admitted that the recovery programme for their high-profile signing has not worked as initially expected.
Scuro also noted that the French international is deeply frustrated by his lack of time on the pitch.
This disappointing comeback coincides with a broader structural upheaval at the Stade Louis II.
Ligue 1 reporter Luke Entwistle told the Manchester Evening News that the club is experiencing an awful season regarding player rehabilitation.
“They’ve decided to get an injury-prone player that they need to get back to full fitness in a year where their medical record has been atrocious, with lots of muscular injuries.”
Mounting casualty list
The internal crisis has reportedly led to the unannounced departure of head doctor Yann Le Meur.
Scuro has actively fast-tracked an audit of the entire medical department, bringing the review forward to January instead of waiting until the summer.
Manager Sebastien Pocognoli is currently navigating a severe squad depletion beyond his star midfielder.
Former Premier League players Takumi Minamino and Mohammed Salisu are facing extended periods on the sidelines after suffering anterior cruciate ligament tears.
Several other first-team members remain unavailable due to various knee and hamstring complaints.
The veteran playmaker has historically struggled with his physical durability, having missed 112 matches during his previous six-year stint at Old Trafford.