France coach Didier Deschamps made no promises regarding Paul Pogba’s future in the national team and gave his thoughts on the Juventus midfielder’s ongoing doping case.
The 30-year-old Frenchman failed a doping test on August 20 after the Bianconeri’s win over Udinese, where he was an unused substitute.
Pogba requested a counter-analysis on the B sample to confirms the results, which again returned positive for DHEA, a banned substance that naturally boosts testosterone production. The midfielder is now preparing for his defence in a sporting trial that could see him banned from two to four years.
Speaking in a press conference via Calciomercato.com, Deschamps first gave his thoughts on Pogba’s ongoing situation.
“Allegri is particularly sad for Paul, as am I too, a lot of things have fallen on his head lately. He finds himself in a complicated situation. He will defend himself. He will have to defend himself, this does part of a long procedure.
“It all started with the doping test. I don’t know what tomorrow holds for him, but what’s happening to him is sad for him.”
The France coach was then asked if the Juventus midfielder had a future with the national team.
“I’ll not have a categorical or radical position. I don’t know what his future will be like, it will take time. Even if he hasn’t been with us for a while.
“I hope for him that he finds his smile again, the full possession of his means, that he will find the pitch again, but it will take time.”
Pogba has made 91 caps with France since his debut in March 2013, scoring 11 goals. He was a key part of the squad that won the 2018 World Cup and 2021 Nations League title.