AC Milan Drops Important Deals Despite Players’ Readiness

The failure of French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s transfer to AC Milan has reignited the debate about the nature of the Italian club’s medical staff’s work. The “Rossoneri” withdrew from the deal in its final stages due to medical concerns about long-term physical risks, despite the player regularly participating in the English Premier League and appearing to be in good physical condition.

The medical team at Milan, specifically the Milan Lab center, is known for its strict policy that differs from many European clubs. It not only assesses the player’s current readiness but also focuses on the likelihood of future injuries and their impact on the player’s continuity in the medium and long term. This approach led the management to make a decisive decision to halt the Mateta deal despite the preliminary agreement with his club.

Mateta’s case was not an exception, as Milan had previously backed out of other deals for similar reasons, most notably Nigerian striker Victor Boniface, whose medical reports raised concerns about his injury history. Additionally, there were previous instances involving players whom the medical staff believed might not withstand the continuous pressure of domestic and European competitions, even if they were capable of playing at the moment.

Milan grants its medical team significant independence in decision-making, with the medical report being a crucial element that cannot be administratively overridden. This has earned the club a reputation for being one of the strictest in medical examinations.

While some believe that this policy causes Milan to miss out on significant artistic opportunities, others assert that it protects the club from potential financial and athletic losses, embodying a philosophy based on prevention rather than risk-taking.