(Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines) If he does not want to have a “categorical position” on the future of Paul Pogba in the Blues, coach Didier Deschamps regretted putting the career of the 2018 world champion “on hold” Juventus after his positive doping test.

“I’m not going to have a categorical or radical position. I don’t know what his future will look like, but obviously it’s going to take time,” Didier Deschamps said Monday at a press conference, before France’s Euro-2024 qualifying match against the Netherlands on Friday. .

“He hasn’t been with us for a while now,” he continued. “It’s bracketed. I hope for him that he will find a smile again, full possession of his means and the field.”

The 2018 world champion, who tested positive for testosterone on the sidelines of the match on the first day of the Italian championship in which he did not participate, is liable to a four-year suspension, which can be reduced to two years if non-intentionality is demonstrated.

Less than a month after his provisional suspension on September 11 by the Italian anti-doping agency (Nado), Pogba, 30, learned last Friday that the analysis of his B sample had revealed the presence of metabolites of testosterone, as in sample A.

Deschamps said he was “very sad for Paul” who “finds himself in a complicated situation, where he will (have to) defend himself, he will need it”.

“Obviously, given the important relationship I have with Paul and having to support players in difficulty, I am saddened,” continued the coach.

Since the announcement of his positive doping test, Pogba has no longer had access to the Juve training center.

The former Manchester United player has 91 caps (11 goals) with the Blues, of which he was one of the centerpieces. The last one dates back to March 29, 2022 against South Africa in a friendly (5-0).