Juventus ready to sell Pogba before he's even played for them

Stuart Telford

• 2 Feb 2023 21:02 GMT
• 3 min read

Juventus only re-signed Paul Pogba from Manchester United last summer, but the Old Lady are already growing tired of the midfielder's injury problems and off-field antics according to reports in Italy.

Pogba made his name at Juventus after growing frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson first around, emerging as a world class midfielder on the way to four consecutive Serie A titles.

He returned amid much fanfare last summer, on a free transfer but one that would cost the club more than €10 million per year for his salary alone, and he quickly suffered a knee injury that required surgery - paid for by Juve.

READ: Pogba's injury nightmare after leaving Man Utd continues - will he ever return?

Towards the end of his comeback trail Pogba posted photographs from a skiing holiday, and although he didn't take to the slopes himself, it drew the ire of large sections of the Bianconeri support, who thought he wasn't taking his rehabilitation seriously.

Pogba's choices and behaviour

And now the club have followed the fans in losing patience with Pogba, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

"What happened in Pogba's first few months at Juve has changed their perspective," they report. "And not just because he didn't play a single minute. The question has also become about Pogba's choices and behaviour.

READ: Pogba infuriates Juventus fans with Instagram post

"If he had surgery on his knee immediately, he would have missed the World Cup but his knee joint would have been cleaned out definitively and he could have returned for Juve two-and-a-half months later."

Pogba forewent that surgery, in the hope of playing for France in Qatar, but was ultimately unable to that or play for Juve until now - months later than the club would have liked.

Pogba returned to the Juve squad for last Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Monza, but didn't get off the bench after picking up a minor injury unrelated to his knee earlier in the week.