• Last Update: October 21, 2025 07:01:07 pm BST • 3 min read

Paul Pogba is back training and in high spirits at Monaco, though his much-anticipated comeback has been delayed after a minor fitness setback ruled him out of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Tottenham.

The former Manchester United midfielder joined the Ligue 1 side in June, shortly after being cleared to resume his career following the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision to reduce his four-year doping suspension to 18 months.

Pogba had tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 2023 while at Juventus, but the CAS ruled the offence “not intentional,” allowing the 32-year-old to return to football earlier this year.

Pogba was expected to make his Monaco debut against Angers last weekend, marking what would have been his first appearance in over two years, before suffering another injury setback.

However, new Monaco coach Sebastien Pocognoli believes the midfielder is moving in the right direction.

“Paul is training but not fully,” Pocognoli said ahead of the visit of Tottenham. “I think the process for Paul is a process to make everything step by step. [On Monday] he joined with the group for the first time under my coaching.

“He was smiling, he was enjoying and interacting with the players. For me, this is the first step and this step can take days, can take two to three weeks and then we can build on this through performance and consistency.

“So, yeah, that is the first step and here we are. That is the situation, but I am very pleased, for sure, to see him on the pitch.”

Pocognoli, appointed Monaco head coach on October 11, will be making his home debut at the Stade Louis II against Spurs.

The Belgian, a former West Brom defender, will be without Eric Dier due to a hamstring injury but reminisced fondly about his only previous encounter with Tottenham during his playing career.

“I played once in the old stadium of Tottenham and I think the coach was [Mauricio] Pochettino,” he recalled. “I played against my former team-mate Nacer Chadli plus Mousa Dembele. It was in the old-fashioned stadium, it was a nice atmosphere and we won 1-0.”

Joining Pocognoli in the pre-match press conference was Monaco forward Maghnes Akliouche, who was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham during the summer transfer window.

“It was very flattering to have these kinds of stories and links, but I am a Monaco player and I am playing against Tottenham [on Wednesday], so I will give my best,” said the 23-year-old.

“In terms of whether I want to play in the Premier League in the future … why not? But we’ll see. What is important for me is [Wednesday’s] game.

“The important thing for us is to win the game. I am not focused at all on other links and pressure.”