Paul Pogba left out of Monaco squad for Nottingham Forest friendly after head coach made stark admission about French star's fitness following doping ban layoff

AS Monaco supporters were once again left disappointed after marquee summer arrivals Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati were omitted from the matchday squad for the club’s recent pre-season fixture against Nottingham Forest. Despite hopes that the high-profile duo would make their debuts at the weekend, neither player featured as Monaco marched on with their pre-season preparations.

  • Pogba has joined after serving his doping ban
  • The midfielder is yet to make debut
  • No timeline on his potential return to action

Paul Pogba left out of Monaco squad for Nottingham Forest friendly after head coach made stark admission about French star's fitness following doping ban layoffPaul Pogba left out of Monaco squad for Nottingham Forest friendly after head coach made stark admission about French star's fitness following doping ban layoffPaul Pogba left out of Monaco squad for Nottingham Forest friendly after head coach made stark admission about French star's fitness following doping ban layoff

Pogba, the former and midfielder, and Fati, previously on the books at , arrived at Monaco this summer to much fanfare. However, their impact on the field is yet to be seen. Hutter had already hinted last week that the pair were struggling to reach optimal fitness levels amid limited competitive action in the recent past. The coach has urged patience, insisting that both stars will be eased into action at the appropriate time rather than being rushed.

Saturday’s match against was seen by many as a potential opportunity to finally catch a glimpse of Pogba and Fati in action in Monaco colours. Yet, when the team sheets were released, it was clear that the wait would continue.

For Pogba, the situation marks another chapter in a long and frustrating battle to get back to playing. After serving his doping ban of 18 months, the 2018 winner struggled to find new employers but was ultimately bailed out by Monaco, who are determined to upgrade their roster before taking on Europe’s elites in the next season.

Monaco still have two pre-season remaining before they kick off their campaign. The squad is scheduled to face Arminia Bielefeld on July 26, followed by a clash with on August 3. These two fixtures could represent the final opportunities for Pogba and Fati to gain a few minutes under their belt before the club’s season opener against Le Havre on August 17.