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The late returns of Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot continues to dominate the newspapers columns surrounding AC Milan. La Gazzetta dello Sport begin their report with an interesting passage: “Amorim is reflecting and will have to evaluate their condition when they return on Sunday, seven days before the match against Torino. And the transfer window looms…” Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial! Rabiot and Maignan will be the last to return. Not only among Milan’s internationals, but also among the French players who participated in the World Cup. Coach Amorim gave the green light for their extended vacation, and the decision was endorsed by the club. The stance filtering from the club is clear: Mike and Adrien are considered key players, who last season led the team with great professionalism until the final matchday. Then they took part in a demanding World Cup that ended in disappointment, like the 2025-26 league campaign. It’s therefore best for them to return with a clear head. However, the fact remains that almost all of the rest of Didier Deschamps’ squad are at work, and those still on vacation will return before Sunday, when Maignan and Rabiot are expected at the training ground. Worrying comparisons Rayan Cherki will join Manchester City today, leaving only Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise (in addition to Maignan and Rabiot) among the French players still not playing alongside their teammates. Next weekend, the two will be back with Bayern Munich, who will play the German Super Cup final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 22nd. The defender and the former Crystal Palace talent are in real danger of missing the first competitive match of the season, just like the Milan duo. Even in Germany, the nearly four-week vacation the two Frenchmen have taken has sparked discussion among fans. Especially since, with José Mourinho back at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé is already training with Los Blancos. The same goes for the many internationals wearing the PSG shirt, who are playing in the European Super Cup final tonight. They will all be on the pitch and in the dugout, including new signings Digne and Akliouche. Luka Modric joined his team-mates in Australia a few days later than expected, and Maignan and Rabiot requested and received the same treatment. Amorim and the club gave the green light. They’ll have a week of training before their league debut on the 23rd against Torino. Amorim and his staff will evaluate their condition before making a decision on their use against the Granata. The goalkeeper would certainly be especially useful, as Pietro Terracciano is also not at his best, and if Magic Mike doesn’t play, Lorenzo Torriani would likely be the one to take his spot. Something more to it? Maignan is going through a difficult period that he didn’t expect last winter, when he signed a contract extension until 2031. After a forgettable 2024-25 season, under Allegri and his staff he was back to his best, and the Rossoneri seemed to have a return to the Champions League in his grasp. Everyone knows how it ended. Since May 24th, Mike has spoken only once, at the World Cup, explicitly asking not to be asked questions about Milan. He’s also remained completely silent on social media, where he’s deleted all photos, including those in a Rossoneri shirt. Yet, the management have received no signs that Maignan wants to leave, and in any case they consider him a key player for the team. The same goes for Rabiot, whom Amorim plans to use also as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the centre-forward. What mood will Mike be in when he arrives at Milanello? This is the question most on the minds of the fans, aware that a disgruntled Maignan is difficult to manage. The hope is that the captain – who was often decisive last season – will return. The other hope is that he will be won over by Amorim’s methods, and that the bond created over the years with Milan will prevail. None of the European big clubs are currently looking for a goalkeeper, with only Al-Nassr emerging as a potential suitor. For now, Milan are not considering this possibility. Tomorrow – when Cardinale, Amorim, and the rest of the management sit down to discuss the transfer market – Maignan’s name will certainly come up.