The France team may have to find a new player to form their trio of goalkeepers for the Qatar World Cup. International Mike Maignan will not play with AC Milan again before the World Cup, which will take place from November 20 to December 18, due to a left calf injury. It will even be “unavailable, I think, at least until January”AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli said Friday, October 21, at a press conference.
The coach did not specify whether the goalkeeper would be able to respond to a summons from coach Didier Deschamps, who will announce his list on November 9.
“We are sorry for this injury, because he is a very important player, but above all because he was doing everything possible to find the team”underlined Stefano Pioli. “We tried to assess things as best we could. Mike was pushing to play as soon as possible. We think we did things well.”explained the coach.
Another blow for the Blues
Mike Maignan, 27, usual understudy for Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) in goal for the France team, felt discomfort in his calf on September 22 during a Nations League match against Austria (2 -0). Back in training on Wednesday, he got injured again. AC Milan announced on Wednesday a new medical point in ten days.
If Mike Maignan had to give up the World Cup, Didier Deschamps should find a new goalkeeper alongside Hugo Lloris and Alphonse Areola (West Ham). The choice could then be made between Steve Mandanda (Stade Rennes) and Alban Lafont (FC Nantes).
Mike Maignan’s setbacks are a new blow for the Blues, who fear they will also have to do without midfielder N’Golo Kanté, operated on hamstrings and unavailable for four months according to his Chelsea club.