Ansu Fati Yet to Debut for Monaco as Club Prioritizes Long-Term Fitness
Ansu Fati’s highly anticipated move to AS Monaco from Barcelona has yet to yield a single minute of action for the Spanish forward — and it’s not gone unnoticed. With six pre-season friendlies already in the books, questions are mounting about his absence. However, behind the scenes, Monaco are executing a calculated plan to carefully reintegrate the 22-year-old, whose promising career has been hampered by persistent injuries.
Fati’s Summer Move and Silent Start
When AS Monaco secured Ansu Fati on loan from Barcelona in late June — alongside fellow high-profile name Paul Pogba — expectations surged. Despite playing fewer than 300 minutes across 11 appearances last season, the French club saw an opportunity to revive the career of a once highly touted talent.
Yet, as Monaco completed six pre-season friendlies, Fati has remained on the sidelines. His absence has raised eyebrows in Spain and beyond, with reports from MARCA suggesting growing impatience from the club and fans alike.
Coach Hutter Urges Patience Over Rush
Despite the speculation, Monaco head coach Adi Hütter has been quick to downplay any concerns. Following a 5-0 pre-season win over Coventry City on July 16, Hütter addressed Fati’s situation, emphasizing that the forward is progressing gradually in individual training.
“Ansu Fati is getting closer and closer to joining the group with Paul Pogba,” Hütter explained. “At Barcelona, he wasn’t able to train as he should have, but I believe in the next 10 to 15 days he’ll be more involved.”
A Carefully Tailored Recovery Plan
The decision to keep Fati off the pitch stems from a well-thought-out fitness and integration plan, agreed upon between the player and club upon his arrival. Having struggled with multiple injuries in recent years, Monaco’s medical and coaching staff are prioritizing a slow, controlled return to avoid any risk of re-injury.
“We want him back as soon as possible,” said Hütter, “but we have to be cautious. We can’t afford for him to relapse or develop new physical issues.”
Flashscore France reported that Monaco recognize the unique physical demands of Ligue 1 and are adjusting Fati’s preparation accordingly. With minimal match time under his belt last season, rushing him into full-speed competition could do more harm than good.
Physical Demands of Ligue 1 Require Full Readiness
Monaco’s concern isn’t just about Fati’s past injuries — it’s also about future sustainability. Ligue 1 is known for its physical style of play, and the club wants to ensure that the Spanish international is fully conditioned before stepping onto the pitch.
Rather than treating his absence as a setback, Monaco sees it as a necessary step toward building a durable, competitive version of Fati who can thrive in a demanding league.
Even if the forward isn’t available for their season opener against Le Havre on August 16, it won’t be a cause for panic. The overarching theme remains: long-term fitness over short-term gains.
