Sommer and Maignan: two uncertain futures ahead of the Inter Milan–AC Milan derby

Today’s derby puts Sommer and Maignan face to face, two goalkeepers with uncertain futures yet still firmly between the posts

Today evening’s derby will feature Sommer and Maignan, two goalkeepers whose futures are more than uncertain. Both are out of contract, yet still firmly secure in their roles.

Today evening’s derby will see Sommer and Maignan face off, two keepers with unclear futures despite their contract situations, and both clubs are already considering alternatives.

“There’s a strange atmosphere around the Inter Milan goal ahead of tonight’s derby. 

It’s not stormy air — though perhaps that would be better. Instead, it’s as if there’s a dead calm preventing the older Sommer from opening his sails and throwing himself at the most difficult shots. 

Over in Milan’s goal the air is sharper, as cold as San Siro will be. Here, two goalkeepers with hyper-tech gloves, besides attempting the perfect save, seem ready to leave Milan and our Serie A. And the derby has already begun in the race for successors: missed opportunities (Donnarumma on a free last summer), new possibilities, and financial constraints more treacherous than the goalposts themselves,” explains Corriere della Sera via Fcinter1908.

Clubs already scouting successors for both goalkeepers

“Because a goalkeeper is like a centre-forward: finding a young one, affordable and already decisive while wearing a heavy shirt, is extremely difficult. 

And it’s no coincidence that the names linked to the post-Sommer era overlap with those for the post-Maignan era — assuming the Frenchman doesn’t unexpectedly renew: Caprile from Cagliari, Suzuki from Parma, Atubolu from Freiburg, Meslier from Leeds (out of the squad, contract expiring). 

Then there’s Dibu Martinez, 33, under contract with Aston Villa until 2029: in England he’s being linked to Inter Milan, where Martinez is hardly a rare surname, but also to Tottenham as Vicario’s replacement, a favourite of president Marotta.

“In the meantime, the planned rotation with Martinez — who has played only two matches — was abruptly halted by the tragedy involving the Spanish goalkeeper, when an 81-year-old man was killed after entering the road during the player’s route toward Appiano. ‘Pepo’ returned to training two days later, but as Chivu explained, he needs time. 

And the search for Sommer’s replacement — with his contract expiring and no renewal coming — truly cannot begin until the Spaniard plays more games and is fully evaluated: as a potential starter, as the backup to a new goalkeeper who would be introduced gradually, or as a classic second choice, a role that in a big club must be covered without inferiority complexes. 

And Martinez has so far handled it without restlessness or drops in focus: on the pitch, he has always been up to the task,” concludes Corriere.