Paul Pogba has been backed to return to the highest level by France head coach Didier Deschamps – despite the former Manchester United midfielder’s inability to find a club since completing his doping ban.
Les Bleus chief Deschamps has been in contact with Pogba in recent weeks after the World Cup winner served an 18-month suspension for ingesting a banned substance that led to a heightened level of testosterone.
He was initially handed a four-year ban but the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced it upon appeal, finding that the offence “was not intentional.”
Pogba – who turned 32 years old on Saturday – was officially allowed to return to action last week, though he would have been free to train with a new club since earlier this year. However he is still waiting to agree a deal with a new club.
Rumours of a third stint with United have carried little substance and he has recently been linked with a move to Major League Soccer, including David Beckham ’s Inter Miami.
Pogba is determined to play for France again and Deschamps is willing to keep the door open once he can prove his form for a new club first.
“He’s supposed to be able to play again, but he doesn’t have a club. We’re talking, and I won’t tell you the details,” Deschamps said ahead of France’s two-legged UEFA Nations League quarter-final against Croatia next week.
“Yes, he has the ability and the mentality to return to the highest level. It won’t happen overnight, but for the moment, he hasn’t made a decision. We’ll see.”
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AFP via Getty Images)
Pogba has been intermittently sharing footage of himself in training on social media with a series of cryptic captions.
And after his ban was reduced last year he said: “Finally, the nightmare is over and I can look forward to the day when I can follow my dreams again and again.
“I always stated that I never knowingly breached Anti-Doping regulations, I play with integrity… and I want to thank Court of Arbitration who heard my explanation.
“This has been a hugely distressing period in my life, everything I’ve worked so hard has been put on hold. “Thank you for all the love and support once again. I can’t wait to get back on the pitch.”
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