If there are any questions over who is currently the best goalkeeper in the world, Milan fans would gladly tell you, without hesitation, that the answer is Mike Maignan.
The flying Frenchman has been in inspirational form since his return from a five-month injury lay-off earlier in the season and has impressed with his match-winning saves, but statistically, ‘Magic Mike’ is up there with Europe’s top goalkeepers for ball-playing ability as well.
In comparison with the 2022 FIFA Best Goalkeeper winner Thibaut Courtois, Atletico stopper Jan Oblak and Premier League Brazilian duo Ederson and Alisson, Maignan is right in the mix for a number of passing stats.
Maignan is currently averaging six completed long passes per game for the Rossoneri, better than Oblak on five, Ederson on 4.9, Alisson on 4.7 and Courtois on 3.9.
Maignan is also up there for pass completion stats, with an average of 78.3% of his passes finding their intended targets.
Maignan ranks higher than Oblak on 62.6%, whilst Alisson (84.7%), Ederson (84.6%) and Courtois (81.7%) rank slightly higher.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan do tend to go long from goal kicks more often than some of the other top sides in Europe, which might explain the slight deficit compared to Alisson, Ederson and Courtois.
With his lightning reflexes, unimaginable shot-stopping ability and impressive record facing penalties, Maignan certainly has a seat at the table when it comes to the conversation over the world’s best goalkeepers.