Today, the team doctor subjected the French forward to further tests, which were not successful. The deal with Crystal Palace, which seemed all but done, has fallen through. He had already undergone meniscus surgery in 2019 while playing for Mainz
The additional tests yielded negative results: the further examinations Milan conducted on Mateta’s knees today revealed issues that led the Rossoneri to withdraw from the pending deal with Crystal Palace. It now remains to be seen whether the front office will attempt another last-minute move—though at this point it would be better to call it a last-second move—to strengthen the attack or whether they will stick with the current roster.
After the two clubs had reached an agreement (following the one between the player and Milan), Mateta had already undergone the standard medical examination in London yesterday in order to speed up the process ahead of his arrival at Milanello. Milan’s intention, in fact, was to make him available to Allegri immediately, without waiting for next season. However, once all the medical documentation was received, the Rossoneri deemed it necessary to investigate more thoroughly. This pertained specifically to the condition of his right knee, whose meniscus had torn in 2019 while Mateta was playing in the Bundesliga for Mainz. In July of that year, the Frenchman underwent surgery in Munich and did not return to the field until mid-December.
Cost and Uncertainty— The injury dates back six and a half years, but based on the results of the examinations conducted yesterday, the Rossoneri wanted to get to the bottom of the matter. There was something causing concern. Dr. Mazzoni, head of the Rossoneri’s medical staff, flew to see Mateta today and, around lunchtime, subjected him to further tests, which he did not pass. Hence the rejection, for a simple reason: right now, the forward is playing regularly; the Rossoneri’s doubts, in fact, are all forward-looking. Especially with an eye toward next season, in which—barring any spectacular self-destruction—Milan will return to European competition, meaning many midweek matches. A transfer fee of approximately 35 million, given this uncertainty, was ultimately deemed inappropriate. In other words: the concern is that he may need another surgery in the future. Moreover, the English media had already floated this possibility last December, though it was later ruled out. In short, it’s a matter of inflammation—one of those issues that sometimes cannot be fully resolved with conservative treatment and that, in any case, require the player and medical staff to manage and monitor the situation with particular care and complexity.
utmost caution— In such a context, it’s worth recalling that the Rossoneri club has historically always been very cautious and meticulous when health-related matters are at stake. From Biabiany to Cissokho, including Pubill and the recent saga involving Boniface, Milan has never been satisfied with the “standard” medical procedures, digging deeper every time it faced a situation that wasn’t entirely clear. Mateta, then, has been courted and then cast aside by the Devil—and who knows how his life at Crystal Palace will unfold now: the Frenchman had officially informed the club of his desire to leave, complete with a huffing emoji on social media when the deal appeared to be on hold in recent days. But there isn’t much to celebrate at Milanello either: Jean-Philippe was the center forward identified to kick off an important new era, and now the club will have to make a sharp U-turn.
