Is the beautiful shared story of Didier Deschamps and Paul Pogba in the French football team this time over for good? If he does not want to have a “categorical position” on the future in Blues of the 30-year-old midfielder, the coach in any case mentioned without surprise on Monday the putting “on hold” of the career of the 2018 world champion , due to his recent positive doping test. “I don’t know what his future will hold but obviously, it will take time,” declared Didier Deschamps at a press conference, before the Euro 2024 qualifying match between the Netherlands and France, scheduled for Friday in Amsterdam.
“He hasn’t been with us for a while now,” DD continued. It’s in parentheses. I hope for him that he will find a smile again, full possession of his means and the field. » Tested positive for testosterone on the sidelines of the match on the first day of the Italian championship, in which he did not participate at the end of August, the Turinese is liable to a four-year suspension, which can be reduced to two years if non-intentionality is demonstrated.
No more selection for the French team since March 2022
Less than a month after his provisional suspension on September 11 by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado), Paul Pogba learned on Friday that the analysis of his B sample had revealed the presence of testosterone metabolites, such as in sample A. Didier Deschamps said he was “very sad for Paul”, who “finds himself in a complicated situation, where he will have to defend himself”.
“Obviously, given the important relationship I have with Paul and the fact of having to support players in difficulty, I am saddened,” explains the Blues coach. Since the announcement of his positive doping test, Pogba has no longer had access to the Juve training center. There is therefore a very good chance that the former Manchester United player will remain stuck at 91 caps (and 11 goals) with the France team, of which he has long been one of its centerpieces. Due to numerous physical problems, his last with the Blues dates back to March 29, 2022, during a friendly match against South Africa (5-0).