This Tuesday evening on TF1, after Germany – France (2-1), Didier Deschamps was first entitled, logically, to questions about the first defeat of the Blues in 2023, during this friendly match in Dortmund. And then, the Paul Pogba case arose. The coach said he was “obviously very surprised” by the announcement on Monday of the 1998 world champion’s positive test for testosterone. This test dates back to August 20, after the match on the first day of Serie A between Udinese and Juventus, during which Pogba remained on the Juve bench.
“I don’t have the elements. There will be things that follow,” continued “DD”. “But there are so many things piling up, falling on him, that it’s difficult. » Constantly hampered by injuries in recent years, when he was not at the heart of extra-sporting affairs, missing the last World Cup in Qatar, Pogba (30 years old) has always been able to count on the support of Deschamps. “I communicated with him by messages,” said the latter. But I will have time to speak with him a little more in the coming days to get a little more information. »
“I always supported him”
The Basque technician, who worked for Juventus well before the “Pickaxe”, was categorical about possible deliberate doping by the player. “I can’t imagine that,” he said, agreeing with the position of Pogba and his entourage.
“Knowing him, in relation to everything that is in his head… I still remember certain discussions with him in relation to vaccines and Covid,” continued “DD”. The substance is there, unless there is a second opinion or anything… Afterwards, knowing the why and the how… I don’t think he himself knows, unfortunately. It will take a little time. I always supported him. »
Pogba seems to benefit from strong support among the Blues. “We all support Paul, he’s a very close friend, he’s part of the family. We know Paul, if something happened, we can’t believe for a moment that it was intentional,” Kingsley Coman said. has the Team.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the positive test would have been caused by the absorption of a food supplement recommended by a doctor friend, of which Pogba had not informed Juve. The midfielder faces up to four years of suspension. To date, a 92nd selection for the French team is science fiction, while the former Mancunian has not played for Blue since a friendly match against South Africa (5-0) on March 29 2022 in Lille.