French national coach Didier Deschamps has warned Paul Pogba that he could miss the World Cup if he is not fully fit. Didier stated it is ‘inconceivable’ that he could take a half-fit Pogba to the tournament.
The 29-year-old midfielder was part of France’s 2018 World Cup winning team. He scored in the 4-2 victory over Croatia. Though his past performances will not influence Deschamps’ decision. He is concerned that Pogba could struggle to regain fitness following knee surgery.
A Major Doubt
Pogba has not played a single game for Juventus this season after re-joining the club on a free transfer from Manchester United. Pogba sustained a torn meniscus in his right knee in July during pre-season training with the Italian club. After breaking down again in training, the decision was taken to operate in early September. An eight-week recovery period leaves his participation in Qatar in the balance.
The form of players can greatly influence the World Cup tournament, especially with the game being played mid-season. This creates added pressure for players as they will have little preparation time this year. This means it would be unwise to gamble on the fitness of any player.
And when the player is as influential as Pogba, the absence is felt most keenly. It can also affect the betting odds. France’s loss could be Australia’s gain. The two nations are meeting in the first round of fixtures in Group D on the 22nd of November. Traditionally, the tournament is highly popular with those who like to bet on World Cup soccer. France is -250 favourites to win Group D with Caesars Sportsbook. While the Australians are priced at +1200 to top the group. The Socceroos are a settled team with over 30-year-olds making up the team’s spine, with 30-year-old captain Mathew Ryan in goal, Trent Sainsbury, Aziz Behich, and Bailey Wright in defence, Celtic’s Aaron Mooy in midfield, and Melbourne City striker Mathew Leckie up front.
Australia will be hoping to avoid defeat against France, and the absence of Pogba at the World Cup would be a boost to the Australians. The road to reaching the knockout stage would then involve emerging victorious against Tunisia to set up a make-or-break final group game against Denmark.
A Growing Injury List
Deschamps already has injury concerns in midfield. N’Golo Kante is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, although he is expected to be back in action soon. Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman has struggled persistently with injuries.
Nevertheless, Deschamps has taken the opportunity to call up Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, and with players of the caliber of Real Madrid midfielders Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni at his disposal, Deschamps can afford to be stringent in his demands of Pogba.
However, it will be much more difficult to replace Pogba’s experience. The ex-Manchester United midfielder, who left the club after Cristiano Ronaldo re-joined the Premier League outfit, has 91 international caps, scoring 11 goals in the process, while Tchouaméni has represented France on 12 occasions and Camavinga has just three caps to his name.
Deschamps will also have to tread carefully to avoid the type of dispute that has marred international preparations. Last year, a dispute between Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud in the run-up to Euro 2020 threatened to escalate into an all-out feud after Giroud expressed public criticism of the Paris Saint-Germain forward. Any sign of preferential treatment being shown to Pogba could be a threat to team unity in Qatar.
With Paul Pogba under tremendous pressure to prove his fitness to Didier Deschamps and gain a place in the World Cup squad, it could be that we see one of the next generations of French midfielders seize the opportunity to emerge as the latest in a long time of top-class French midfielders at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
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