Paul Pogba – Manchester City continue their Champions League campaign on Wednesday night with a trip to Stade Louis II to face Monaco — and Pep Guardiola’s side will encounter plenty of familiar names with Premier League experience.
The standout, of course, is Paul Pogba, but the former Manchester United midfielder won’t feature just yet. The 32-year-old only returned to football this summer after an 18-month doping suspension and is still working his way to match fitness. Monaco boss Adi Hütter has hinted Pogba could make his debut after the international break, targeting the October 18 clash against Angers.
But Pogba isn’t the only name City fans will recognise. Here are the key ex-Premier League players lining up for Monaco:
Folarin Balogun – The former Arsenal academy product only played twice in the Premier League before making his name on loan at Reims, where 22 goals in 39 games earned him a permanent switch to Monaco in 2023.
Eric Dier – A mainstay at Tottenham for a decade, Dier also starred for England at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. After a spell with Bayern Munich, he joined Monaco this summer and anchors their back line.
Ansu Fati – Once Barcelona’s next big thing, Fati endured injury setbacks before a loan spell at Brighton in 2023/24. Now at Monaco on another loan, he’s looking to rediscover his spark.
Thilo Kehrer – The German defender spent 18 months at West Ham, winning the Europa Conference League before moving to Monaco permanently. He captains the side, though he was sent off in their last outing at Lorient.
Takumi Minamino – A Premier League winner with Liverpool in 2020, the Japanese forward later joined Southampton on loan before finding stability at Monaco, where he’s passed 100 appearances.
Mohammed Salisu – Former Southampton defender, who joined Monaco after the Saints’ relegation.
Denis Zakaria – Briefly a Chelsea player on loan in 2022/23, remembered for scoring on his debut in the Champions League.
Mika Biereth – Another ex-Arsenal youngster who impressed on loan in Austria before becoming a key scorer for Monaco.
Monaco’s squad may lack Pogba this week, but it’s still stacked with players who know the Premier League well — and they’ll be eager to prove themselves against one of Europe’s giants.
