ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Paul Pogba eyes his second Juventus debut

ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Paul Pogba is eyeing up his long-awaited second Juventus debut in the Turin derby later this month – but will it mark the end of his injury-riddled nightmare back in Italy, or simply herald a new chapter of misfortune?

• Paul Pogba underwent surgery on a damaged meniscus more than 150 days ago
• He is likely to partner Manuel Locatelli and Adrien Rabiot in the midfield three 
• Juventus are among the teams monitoring the progress of Roberto De Zerbi 

Paul Pogba’s interminable wait to make his second debut for Juventus is coming to a close at long last, but it is unclear whether it will herald the end of his torrid start at the Old Lady, or simply bring further bad fortune. 

Pogba hasn’t played an official match since he was on the books at Manchester United back in April 2022 and has now been out of action for almost a year.  

Nine months have now passed, and curiosity is building around his possible return. The interminable wait began with a meniscus injury in August, which he declined to have immediate surgery for – a move that did not meet with approval from his new club.  

But the issue now is determining how this second period of Pogba’s professional career will unfold. In the space of 24 months, the French star has undone the work of the previous eight years of his career, with his popularity both on and off the field now in a delicate position. 

Pogba’s nine-month spell on the sidelines has nonetheless made some Juventus fans very angry, taking to social media to make their opinions known. 

Paul Pogba is still yet to make his first appearance for Juventus since rejoining them in 2022

The 29-year-old has spent nine months on the sidelines after picking up a meniscus injury

It has proven a divisive issue among the Bianconeri faithful: Some 50 per cent of the supporters support Pogba’s physical recovery and consider him a key player heading into the latter half of the season. 

Yet the other 50 per cent begrudge the perceived social media distractions and levity with which the player has approached the situation; he was brought to Turin to wear the iconic No 10 shirt, not to be just another tourist. 

The ex-United midfielder played 90 minutes for Juventus’ Next Gen youth side, and the medical staff were able to report positively on his tackling ability, running and an absence of pain from the meniscus that was recently operated on.

ENDLESS SETBACKS HAVE SEEN HIM MISS 150 DAYS

Since first going under the knife over 150 days ago, he has gradually been marginalised from the rest of the team, and his lack of fitness has kept him out of technical work at the club.  

During that period, his return has often seemed imminent only to be further postponed, and despite being named on the bench against Monza in January, he is yet to play a single second in Serie A this campaign.  

And to make matters worse, his extended absence has given rise to muscular strains on returning to the rigours of full-time training, resulting in a personal rehabilitation programme that has only completed in the last few days. 

The match Pogba has circled on his calendar as a potential return date is the Turin derby on February 28. The Italian media doubt he will meet this latest target, and his appearance will depend on the intensity at which he can train in the run-up to the grudge match without triggering further setbacks.

It is also a fair argument to suggest that there may be some fear from the player’s part of rushing himself back into the action and risking a new injury so soon after his return from a lengthy absence. 

But the team are suffering on the pitch in his absence, and if he was fully-fit now, the Old Lady would surely be fighting Napoli for the Scudetto – the 15-point penalty imposed by the Italian Tribunal notwithstanding, of course. 

Pogba’s return has been punctuated by numerous muscular injuries after his long absence

Pogba had a hugely successful period at the club from 2012-16 before joining Man United

WHEN DO JUVENTUS LOSE PATIENCE WITH POGBA?

Juventus’ patience doesn’t seem to be unlimited. But at the moment, Pogba seems to have free reign thanks to the unconditionally high esteem that CFO Francesco Calvo and the Elkaan family seemingly hold him in – despite the undeniable fact that his move has been nothing less than a gigantic economic and technical flop. 

Pogba signed a four-year contract worth around €7million-a-year plus bonuses in the summer and is still yet to feature on the pitch – which is a significant point in explaining of former Juventus star Marco Tardelli’s fury. 

The ex-Italy international was incensed by Pogba’s social media activity and took to Italian TV programme 90th minute on Rai 2 to blast the French World Cup winner. 

‘Pogba goes skiing while his teammates are grappling with Juve’s big problems, he doesn’t have knee surgery when the club wants him to, but he decides the times because he is afraid of losing the World Cup,’ said Tardelli. 

‘Today Pogba is a big problem that the Bianconeri have to solve. In my opinion (Massimiliano) Allegri should intervene, it is not possible to have a player like this to pay his salary. His behavior too towards his team-mates it is not correct, it bothers me.’

The new CFO Calvo denied any anger caused by the continuous physical issues from the club, following a Gazzetta dello Sport report, and reaffirmed the support for the French midfielder in anticipation of his increasingly probable return.

The World Cup winner signed a four-year deal worth around £7million-per-year at the Old Lady

He is expected to play alongside Manuel Locatelli (R) and Adrien Rabiot (L) in a midfield three

WHO WOULD PARTNER POGBA ON THE PITCH?

When Pogba does return to the field, he will presumably replace Nicolo Fagioli as the midfield playmaker. But right now, Pogba needs team-mates willing to make up the ground that he tends not to cover, and as a result Manuel Locatelli is surely set to partner the Frenchman.

The Italian is a physically strong player with a great temperament who would guarantee greater protection to the French midfielder, especially given he will be struggling for match fitness. 

Who exactly will make way for the 29-year-old is unclear, given that he may or may not even fit into Allegri’s tactical plans when he does at last return to fitness.

However, the most likely casualty will be Fagioli, giving rise to a midfield trio of Locatelli, Pogba and Adrien Rabiot.

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