Didier Deschamps has warned Paul Pogba he will not take the Juventus star with France to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar if he is not fully fit and is in peak form following an injury.
Pogba is in a race against time to be fit for the 22nd edition of the quadrennial event later this year. The 29-year-old has undergone surgery to repair a serious knee injury he picked up in training over the summer having initially put off undergoing any kind of an operation.
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The 2018 World Cup winner had a change of heart regarding the operation recently having not been satisfied with his recovery. But L’Equipe report Pogba can only return to training at Juventus around October 31, as the 91-cap dynamo needs an eight-week period of rest.
His return to training at the end of October could allow Pogba to feature as Juventus take on Hellas Verona on November 10. But the Serie A clash is just 10 days before Qatar open the 2022 World Cup, whilst France begin their title defence against Australia on the 22nd.
Deschamps willing to leave Pogba behind as France defend World Cup
Deschamps will be willing to leave Pogba behind as France defend their second World Cup title in Qatar this year. He will only include the former Manchester United man in his plans if Pogba proves he has fully recovered from his injury and he will be of benefit to Les Bleus.
“He will not come just because he is a ‘framework’. If he has not played before and is not in top form, it is useless. He himself does not want it,” Deschamps said, as quoted by Goal.
France will have plenty of alternative midfielders to pick from for the first World Cup in the Middle East. Deschamps has opted to name Eduardo Camavinga, Youssouf Fofana, Matteo Guendouzi, Adrien Rabiot and Aurelien Tchouameni as their UEFA Nations League options.
Les Bleus play their final matches before flying to Qatar with League A Group 1 ties against Austria on September 22 and Denmark on the 25th. Deschamps may rely on the players to impress this month over Pogba with the France ace yet to play since returning to Juventus.
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