After being sidelined since last April with several injuries, 2018 World Cup winner Paul Pogba looks set to rejoin the Juventus squad ahead of their local derby on Thursday, as revealed today by manager Massimiliano Allegri in today’s press conference. At the very least, he will be a substitute in their Serie A clash with Torino, but it is not yet known whether he will be included in the starting 11.
The 29-year-old had been on the bench during Juventus’ 2-0 loss to Monza in late January, but he was unused. On his recent addition to the squad, Massimiliano Allegri said: “Pogba will be called up, and will play if necessary.”
“He doesn’t have a lot of game time in his legs, but has more than enough time to return.”
The Frenchman returned to Juventus last summer after a six-year spell at Manchester United, where he struggled to mimic the form he has displayed for the national team. He scored one of France’s four goals in the 2018 World Cup final, and was pivotal throughout their tournament success alongside N’Golo Kanté. His current string of injuries precluded him from playing in their most recent World Cup campaign, though France still managed to make it to the final against Argentina in December.
He previously played at the Turin club from 2012 to 2016, but he has not yet played a game for them since his return. Thursday’s fixture pits Juventus in eighth against Torino in ninth, meaning that the derby game is particularly significant. His return to the field could be the confidence boost that Juventus need this season, after they were docked 15 points in January for their involvement in the Serie A capital gains scandal.
GFFN | Brendan Cox
