AC Milan players Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot have been granted an extended holiday period, delaying their return to pre-season training. Both players were initially expected to rejoin the club around August 12 after their post-World Cup break. However, their return has been pushed back to August 16, just one week before their first league match against Torino.
This extended break has led to discussion among fans and observers, particularly as other players who participated in the World Cup have already returned to their respective clubs. For instance, Luka Modric returned on August 2 and has seen playing time in friendly matches.
Extended Break Raises Questions
The decision to grant Maignan and Rabiot additional time off has prompted questions, especially since they appear to be the only two players from the World Cup’s final four teams who are not returning as initially scheduled. This means they will miss all pre-season games, including an upcoming clash in Poland, and will only have a week of training before the start of the season.
Reports indicate that the reasoning behind the extended break is unclear. While some suggest it could be a way to ensure they are fully rested for the upcoming eight-month season, others point out that a week of training might not be sufficient for two senior players to be fully ready for Serie A action.
Both Maignan and Rabiot played significant roles last season, with reports suggesting they collectively played almost 6,000 minutes. Their importance to the team under Massimiliano Allegri was notable, leading some to argue that they may not require extensive time to reintegrate into the squad.
Transfer Rumours and Social Media Activity
The extended holiday comes amidst ongoing speculation regarding the futures of both players. While the current expectation is that the French duo will remain with AC Milan, Rabiot was reportedly reserved when asked about his future during the World Cup. He indicated a desire to enjoy his holidays before discussing matters with the coach and Maignan.
Maignan, in particular, has been the subject of numerous rumours, with his representatives reportedly exploring interest from other clubs. Further adding to the speculation, Maignan, who is also the club captain, deleted all mentions of AC Milan from his social media profiles. This action, in an era where social media activity is closely scrutinised, has been seen by some as a puzzling move from a 31-year-old player who is considered a key representative of the club.
Another point of contention has been Maignan’s absence from Franco Baresi’s funeral, which did not receive a positive reception at the time. The current extended break, combined with these previous events, has not improved perceptions.
The club’s acceptance of the extended break has also drawn criticism, as there appears to be no clear benefit without a confirmed reason for the additional time off. This situation adds to the challenges faced by Ruben Amorim, who is expected to address questions about the matter before the friendly match against Manchester United in Wroclaw, Poland.
The Rossoneri have had a relatively quiet transfer market following early acquisitions of Goncalo Ramos and Mario Gila. This quiet period has led to increased focus on other aspects, including pre-season results and player movements. The extended holiday for Maignan and Rabiot has become a significant talking point just 12 days before the start of the season.
Source: sempremilan.com
