Thunderbolt on the Côte d’Azur: forty-eight hours before Orléans–Monaco in the French Cup, Pogba remains out of the squad. Questioned at a press conference, Sébastien Pocognoli gave a blunt status update. Mohammed Salisu is ending his season in the infirmary, Mamadou Coulibaly has just received a suspension, and Ansu Fati is only partially resuming. In this context, AS Monaco moves forward without its 2018 world champion. The scene is set, the alert is sounded, and the alarming situation settles in. Where does the 32-year-old player stand? For now, out of rhythm and without continuity. Why? Because an old injury and relapses are hindering his performance. How to react? By managing the workload and the schedule of a team already shaken.
The message is clear: the priority is the ongoing competition. Yet, the horizon of World Cup 2026 is moving away for Pogba without minutes in Ligue 1. Monaco travels to Orléans for a tricky round of 16, while rotation narrows. The summer transfer of the midfielder was supposed to relaunch a unique career. However, only three matches have been played in the red and white jersey. Thus, time is pressing and the margin for error is shrinking. From then on, the question becomes crucial: how to rekindle the spark without rushing the steps? The race against the clock begins, and it will be decisive for the club as well as for the Blues.
Ligue 1: Pogba, an alarming situation for Monaco and the Blues
Facts dominate the narrative. Arriving last summer, Pogba has played only three matches and is currently out of the squad. The coach has assumed a logic of caution after relapses, to protect the collective performance. By ripple effect, the visibility of the international player recedes in Ligue 1 as well as in the Cup.
Sportingly, ASM has to cope. The trip to Orléans requires discipline and control over key moments. Moreover, the sequence with the championship demands profiles available immediately. This is where the problem lies for the French midfielder.
Press conference: red flags before Orléans–Monaco
Sébastien Pocognoli decided: Pogba will not be on the team sheet. Salisu is out until the end of the season. Coulibaly is suspended. Ansu Fati is barely back with the group and will stay in the stands. However, the coach promises a new update next week. The message is pragmatic, the line is clear.
This cascade of setbacks reshuffles the cards in midfield. Thus, Monaco must solidify the axis and lighten the transitions endured. On the other hand, the absence of a leader like Pogba deprives ASM of experience in the heart of the game.
In this context, managing minutes becomes strategic. Therefore, qualification depends on balance between coordinated pressing and clean relaunches, without exposing to counterattacks.
Reduced squad: status before the round of 16
On the eve of a tricky match, ASM moves forward with a reduced group. However, the hierarchy remains clear. Here is the key update on the cases mentioned at the press conference.
| Player | Role | Status | Availability | Observation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Pogba | Midfielder | Out of the squad | Reevaluation next week | Must string games together to aim for the World Cup 2026 |
| Mohammed Salisu | Defender | Out for the season | Unavailable | Defensive reorganization needed |
| Mamadou Coulibaly | Midfielder | Suspension confirmed | Unavailable | Impact deficit to fill |
| Ansu Fati | Forward | Partial return | Too fragile | Cautious management after relapses |
Direct consequence, the axis must be reinvented. Therefore, the staff will rely on compactness and control of second balls.
Blues: the World Cup drifts away without club minutes
For the national team, playing time weighs heavily. Yet, Pogba does not string together matches in Ligue 1 nor in national competition. Therefore, the international window darkens. Rivals for the position are accumulating minutes and form.
Historically, French leaders qualify through consistency and fitness. Thus, the international must regain volume: chain games, accelerate, hold up. Without that, the blue train will leave without him, even with his unique pedigree.
The hurdle remains manageable if momentum reverses quickly. However, the lack of continuity weakens his candidacy and tightens the noose around his status.
What is the comeback plan for Pogba?
The staff seeks a trajectory without relapse. To achieve this, the roadmap must be clear and progressive. Here are the priorities to check off to relaunch the player without skipping steps.
- Targeted reconditioning: strengthening the trunk and managing supports to avoid compensations.
- Controlled load: sessions with increasing intensities, validated biomechanically, then integration into small-sided games.
- Progressive playing time: 15-20 minute entries, then starting conditioned by effort tolerance.
- Chosen competitive windows: return to Ligue 1 in controlled sequences, before increasing volume in the Cup.
- Weekly medical review: data, sensations, and adjustments to secure performance.
This path requires patience and consistency. Then, ASM’s context must offer useful minutes, not risky bets.
Orléans–Monaco: a revealing duel for collective balance
In an away round of 16, details matter. Thus, control of transitions and set pieces becomes central. Without Pogba, ASM must compensate through intensity and occupation of half-spaces.
The midfield battle will decide the rhythm. Furthermore, the first outlet must remain clean to avoid stretching the team. Then, the substitutes must bring volume to extinguish low moments.
Key benchmarks to measure the urgency
The red thread remains the same: play fast again, play well again. But the clock is ticking and the margin shrinks for the player as well as for the club. Here are the signals to watch closely.
- Number of successful sequences over four weeks.
- Absence of reaction post-session within 48 hours.
- Ability to repeat sprints at the end of the match.
- Stability in supports during aerial duels.
- Quality of first pass under pressure, indicator of confidence.
If these indicators turn green, the comeback will become credible. Otherwise, the international window will close, without appeal, like a duel lost in extra time.
Will Pogba play against Orléans in the French Cup?
No. According to the update given at the press conference, Paul Pogba remains out of the squad for this round of 16. A new medical assessment is expected next week.
What are the other major absences at Monaco?
Mohammed Salisu is out until the end of the season, Mamadou Coulibaly is suspended, and Ansu Fati has only just resumed partial training.
Why is it called an alarming situation?
Because Pogba hasn’t strung matches together since his transfer and AS Monaco accumulates absences, which weighs on performance and on his chances for the 2026 World Cup.
Is the 2026 World Cup still possible for Pogba?
Yes, if he plays quickly and regularly at club level. Without minutes in Ligue 1 and the Cup, selection drifts away.
What is the plan to relaunch the player?
Reconditioning, fine load management, progressive minutes, and weekly medical checks to come back without relapse and to help the team in competition.