"I have no doubt he'll come back strong": Pogba's former coaches and teammates at Le Havre believe he'll return to the top at Monaco

For Paul Pogba, the idea is simple: to get back on track. A player with ASM since June 28, the international midfielder has still not resumed training with the squad.

Before the friendly match against Inter last Saturday, the player said he was aware of the steps he needed to take to be able to play in Ligue 1.

"A mind of steel"

Those who knew him when he was playing at the youth level in Le Havre (2007-2009) say they are happy to see him return to France. "In my opinion, he made the right choice by signing for Monaco," said Zacharie Boucher, his teammate at the time. "He's not wasting any time and is joining a club where he's definitely going to play."

Former scout in Normandy, Franck Sale helped bring in ''La Pioche''. He thinks he came to the right place on the Rock. "When you've been arrested like that, there's the risk of getting injured. But AS Monaco has a top-notch medical department. It's tough when you're a top-level athlete, a former world champion, and you find yourself deprived of competition. But Paul has a steely mind. If everything goes well and he doesn't have any problems, he'll have a great season for us!"

"He cleaned up his team."

Zacharie Boucher is amazed by the strength of character of AS Monaco's number 8. "Today, who is capable of maintaining daily training for two years, without infrastructure, and returning to a top-level club like Monaco? He knew how to live his life alone in his corner."

Show patience and resilience, too, to continue believing in it despite injuries, extra-sporting issues and the doping suspension*. "I spoke to him on the phone before the verdict on his suspension was handed down, he told me he was confident about it," says Boucher, who offers support for young goalkeepers alongside his career. "I have no doubt about him, his state of mind. He's cleaned up his team and his head. He's also done everything he can to keep up the pace physically, I think he'll be even better in that regard than in the past. I have no doubt that he'll come back strong, that he'll be one of the best players in Ligue 1 and that he'll make it back to the French team. I fully believe in it!"

* Pogba, who suffered from physical problems, also suffered an extortion attempt by childhood friends. He was finally suspended for doping (testosterone): initially for 4 years, the sanction was finally reduced to 18 months.