Paul Pogba Set to Join Monaco After Almost Two-Year Doping Ban

Strategic Insights -

French outlet Le Parisien has reported that Paul Pogba is close to signing a two-year contract with Monaco, despite initially being given a four-year ban after testing positive for the banned substance DHEA in 2020. However, he won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, reducing the ban to 18 months. Pogba was free to play again in March 2023 but has yet to join a new club after his contract with Juventus was terminated in November 2022.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul Pogba is reportedly set to join Monaco after a two-year doping ban, despite initially facing a four-year ban.
  • Pogba won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, reducing the ban to 18 months.
  • He was free to play again in March 2023 but has yet to join a new club after his contract with Juventus was terminated in November 2022.
  • Folarin Balogun, a former Arsenal striker, has already joined Monaco and will be a team-mate of Pogba's, having joined the club from Arsenal in 2023.
  • Balogun struggled with injury problems during the 2022-2023 season, limiting him to just seven starts, but is a proven goalscorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals in 37 games during a loan spell at Reims.
  • Balogun's decision to play for the US at senior level came after being left out of Gareth Southgate's first England squad for 2023, despite his impressive form for Reims.

Statistics:

  • 18 months: the reduced ban Pogba received after winning an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
  • 2 years: the length of Pogba's proposed contract with Monaco.
  • £21 goals: the number of goals Balogun scored in 37 games during a loan spell at Reims.
  • 7 starts: the number of starts Balogun made during the 2022-2023 season due to injury problems.
  • 10 years old: the age Balogun joined Arsenal's academy.
  • 2023: the year Balogun joined Monaco from Arsenal.

Sources:

  • Le Parisien
  • Court of Arbitration for Sport
  • Prime Video
  • FIFA