Paul Pogba could return to competitive action for Juventus after seeing his four-year suspension reduced to just 18 months. Here is how the Bianconeri could line-up with the former World Cup winner back in the side.
Pogba could return to competitive action under Thiago Motta in March 2025. He could return to training at Continassa even earlier than that, possibly by January according to Friday evening’s reports.
An extra midfield option will provide Thiago Motta with a boost, but there could also be a selection headache in the attacking midfield role at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus spent heavily to bring in Teun Koopmeiners, who likes to operate in Pogba’s preferred position as the advanced-most of a midfield three. Next Gen graduate and current first-team star Kenan Yildiz is also capable of playing there, and starred in the ‘no.10’ role during the opening games of the 2024-25 season.
That means that if Pogba is to play regularly for Juventus this season,. He may have to settle for a role further back in the Bianconeri midfield.
That would be a similar situation to the one he found himself in by the end of his career with Manchester United, where he often played in a deeper role behind Bruno Fernandes.
How Juventus could line up with Pogba
* This selection does not include Gleison Bremer, who is out injured long-term, but Nico Gonzalez is included, as he is only expected to be out for around one month.
(4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio/Perin; Cambiaso, Kalulu, Gatti, Cabal; Locatelli/Fagioli/McKennie, Pogba; Nico Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic.