Paul Pogba 'getting closer' to Monaco debut as coach Adi Hutter delivers promising update on French midfielder's fitness

Pogba last played a competitive game in September 2023 as a Juventus player and joined Monaco in the summer of 2025 after his doping ban was lifted. The World Cup winner has been training with the club since July, but Monaco coach Hutter confirmed at the start of the season that both Pogba and Ansu Fati were far from match fitness and not ready for playing time.

However, a spate of injuries in midfield, including captain Dennis Zakaria, could prompt Hutter to accelerate Pogba’s integration. The coach believes that with his current progress, Pogba should be ready to feature after the October break.

In the pre-match press conference, Hutter addressed Pogba’s condition, saying: “We can't compare Paul Pogba's situation [with Ansu Fati's]. Fati is much younger than Paul. Ansu has been training for a long time. Today, Paul is being used more and more.” He added: “We're in our process. We've given ourselves three months. He's getting closer to the group. He's physically and mentally well.”

However, Hutter emphasised that he does not want to rush Pogba’s integration into the squad due to his injury history, explaining: “It's a consideration. With the injured, we have a look at that, but it makes no sense to bring someone in just to say we have someone.”

Introduced as a substitute in Monaco’s league match against Metz, Fati scored within a minute of coming on before adding a second later in the game. After the match, Pogba met him in the tunnel and, in a lighthearted exchange, told Fati he had predicted both his introduction and two goals, prompting Fati to call Pogba a wizard.

Pogba will hope to make a full recovery and return to peak fitness. Monaco, meanwhile, will be eager to see him rediscover the same quality that helped him win trophies with France.