Tuttosport, in its latest edition, asks:
Who is the real Mike Maignan?
The monstrous one seen in the Supercoppa Italiana and, more recently, against Inter in the league derby? Or the one prone to uncertainty, whose mistakes, given the crucial nature of his role, have significantly impacted certain matches for the Rossoneri, including Wednesday night’s game against Feyenoord?
The question is more than legitimate, considering that the French goalkeeper, who will turn 30 on July 3, is no stranger to errors of this kind. But are these mistakes, such as the ones seen against Cagliari at home, where Zortea scored the equalizer, and against Juventus in the league, where Mbangula netted the 2-0 goal, compatible with the contract that is now ready to be signed and finalized?
Milan and Maignan have reached a general agreement on a four-year deal worth five million euros net per season.
A significant salary, perhaps the last major contract of Magic Mike’s career, which will place him among the highest-paid players in the Milan squad. But with big contracts and high wages come great responsibilities, as public opinion tends to be black and white: if you’re earning at a top level, you must perform accordingly.
A goalkeeper’s role is delicate, thrilling yet treacherous, because slip-ups like those that marred Maignan’s first month and a half of 2025 are simply not tolerated. Milan’s management has no doubts about his value or the contract they have agreed upon, but it is clear that more is expected from their captain, both on and off the pitch.
Maignan's leadership must be a recognized factor not just among teammates (which it already is) but also externally.
Then there’s the technical aspect—the most evident and impactful one. Maignan must return to the performance levels of his best season: the Scudetto-winning campaign, when his errors were virtually nonexistent and his decisive, point-saving saves were plentiful.
