Paul Pogba is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after injuring his thigh in Juventus training while practising freekicks.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has had a 2022/23 to forget since returning to Italy to the club where he made his name. It was supposed to be a triumphant return and the club expected it to be so, going by the way they went all out for his announcement. Unfortunately, Pogba has not been able to contribute meaningfully to their season as he has dealt with injuries all through.
After making a brilliant cameo two weekends ago for the first time for Juventus this season, which were also his first minutes of an official match in more than 10 months, he was left out of their UEFA Europa League squad and last weekend’s Serie A tie against Sampdoria.
The decision was questioned by the media and Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri revealed that the midfielder had suffered another injury, which influenced the decision to not have him participate in the 4 – 2 win at the weekend.
“This morning Pogba was taking free-kicks and felt a twinge in his adductor,” Juventus coach Allegri said after Sunday’s game.
A club statement corroborating Allegri’s stated that Pogba underwent a medical test on Monday and that he has suffered “a low-grade tear to his right thigh adductor”. The statement also claimed that Pogba has started his rehabilitation process and is on track to return to the pitch soon.
It was later revealed that he will be spending three weeks in rehab. This will see him return in late April and it will also see him miss the beginning of France’s qualifying rounds for Euro 2024.
Pogba has had a horrid time in the past two years. Injuries prevented him from fully participating in Manchester United’s 2021/22 season and when he did, he was faced with the harsh scrutiny of the club’s fans which also affected his psyche.
He ended 2021/22 injured but Juventus took a chance on him, having had him lead their midfield for four years between 2012 and 2016. He is now looking like a wrong investment but the club is exercising enough patience with him in the hopes that he can regain that 2012-16 form.
When he returns, Pogba will be an asset to Juventus, who were docked 15 points in January for financial malpractice. They currently sit in seventh place and are slowly working their way up the table to European places.
