Paul Pogba is preparing to fight tooth and nail against his potential doping ban. The French midfielder is already preparing his defense against a four-year ban from the sport. He was recently suspended after being found positive for banned substances in two consecutive tests.
As per the Daily Mail, the Juventus midfielder is testing all the creams and supplements in his house to find any traces of DHEA. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) boosts naturally produced testosterone and is banned from soccer. DHEA was the substance discovered in both samples of the midfielder, which led to a provisional suspension for the French player.
He’s done… Needs to go to Saudi or retire.
— Ben (@HowUBenFeller) October 9, 2023
As an added measure, Pogba is also testing his wife’s creams for contamination. The French midfielder pleads innocence as he builds his defense against the potential ban. As per early reports, the ban for this violation will be around four years, which could mean a potential end for the midfielder, who turns 31 in five months.
From a World Champion to a jobless player.. life is moving fast
— Natalie Wayne (@NatalieWayneX) October 9, 2023
However, the fans have reacted to the latest development in the case of the midfielder. Comments like, “He should just retire,” “He’s done… Needs to go to Saudi or retire,” “Just let it go Jogba,” and “From a World Champion to a jobless player..life is moving fast,” echoed the sentiments of the fans who believe that this might be the end for the 2018 World Cup winner.
At present, the Juventus midfielder is being paid the union minimum of around $2,105 per month after his suspension by the Italian club. They decided to suspend the remaining portion of his salary following the doping allegation. Before the suspension, Pogba was earning around $8.4 million per season in Turin.
Juventus eye three potential replacements for Paul Pogba
Juventus are already preparing for the life after the French midfielder. They are already looking to find a replacement for Pogba. As per early reports, there are three candidates lined up by former Italian champions for the upcoming winter transfer window
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus has listed Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram, and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Kouadio Kone as potential replacements for Paul Pogba.
❗It’s clear that the Juventus will now look for Paul Pogba replacement after being tested positive for doping and two potential options for January are Hojbjerg from Tottenham and Fofana from Monaco.
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuveEN) October 7, 2023
Fofana is valued at around $21 million by the Ligue 1 side. Whereas, Thuram will cost around $53 million to Juventus. Kone is the final alternative for the Italian club if they can’t land the above two targets.
The current manager of Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri, commented on the ongoing issue: “I feel sad for Paul Pogba” (about the failed doping test). But we must wait as there is an ongoing investigation about that”.
Paul Pogba joined Juventus from Manchester United a little over a year ago. He joined the club as a free agent after running down his contract at the English club. In his two tenures at Juventus, Pogba played in 190 matches, contributing 34 goals and 41 assists.