What do you think a medical is for? To test their ability to turn up on time? Basically what you’re suggesting there is a medical isn’t much use. So why not leave it until after the player has signed?
A medical is completed by every club on every player and it is not a 2 minute multiple choice Q&A. They are specifically designed to see what a player’s limitations will be and I strongly suspect in all EFL clubs (at least) they are partly generic but largely tailored towards an individual player and their history. The player is pushed beyond their natural limit over a couple of hours purposely to see how they cope and where their pinch points are and plan how to manage that. Whilst they cannot simulate the events of a 90 minute game, they will get an encyclopaedic knowledge of the player’s physical capabilities. Any sign of a red flag, a club typically walks away. So you have to assume a player is all clear at the time of signing otherwise they don’t get in the door.
Any guarantees from this? There never are when signing any player. But the medical, along with probably a very detailed report from PNE, will give them a very informed decision to make. The same can be said for all the others.
