Paolo Maldini "Contemplating" Move To Join Kevin Keegan's Newcastle Revolution

The following article was written prior to realizing that the Maldini rumor to Newcastle was merely an April Fools joke from the staff at Goal.com. Anyways, enjoy reading one naive Bleacher Report writer's thoughts on the fantasy move.

Paolo Maldini has always been referred to as one of the world's greatest defenders. Up there with the ranks of Michel Platini and Franz Beckenbauer, Maldini has reportedly been told that his Rossoneri career could be in jeopardy as it seems he may have to retire as a player in order to stay with his boyhood club.

Following AC Milan's shock departure from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of young high-flying Arsenal, wholesale changes are to be expected from an ageing Rossoneri side. Brazilian superstar Kaka insatiably hit out at his older teammates (including himself) after the match, deeming that they were just couldn't keep up with the youthful exuberance that Arsene Wenger's men displayed.

“The day comes when the end of careers arrive—for everyone, even me" said Kaka in a post-match interview.

"We must sign young players who can absorb the winning mentality—over a long period of time—of those who are already here and develop them in the same manner."

With Alexandre Pato being deemed as the turning point in the Milan attack, Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti is rumored to have at least 100 million Euros at his disposal in order to find new attractive young players by the end of next summer's transfer window.

Currently placed in sixth in Serie A, Milan's recent 2-1 loss to Atalanta could mean that Ancelotti's men could potentially miss out on the Champions League, a competition which Milan won last season.

Furthermore that could spell the end for not only Maldini but the rest of the cast that brought the Rossoneri countless amount of success and trophies during their golden era.

Gattuso, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Nesta, Serginho, Pirlo, Dida and Cafu are all targets for the rumored "revolution" and could potentially be looking for different destinations to play their club football.

Therefore, the 39-year-old veteran is contemplating a move to join the Kevin Keegan revolution at Newcastle United after he was made an offer to join them in the summer.

Despite coming out saying that he would retire at the end of the 07-08 season, Maldini appears to have had a change of heart and wants to continue playing first-team football.

Maldini has always been interested in playing abroad as he has spent his entire career in Italy and would like a taste of foreign action that the Premier League would bring.

"It's true that Newcastle have been in touch. It's certainly an interesting offer and one I won't rule out just yet. My only regret in my career is that I've never had the chance to play abroad and this would be a terrific opportunity to play in the Premier League for a massive club," said Maldini when asked about Newcastle's interest.

Maldini certainly still has a lot to offer the Newcastle faithful if he were to finish his career in England. In spite of what some might refer to as an "ancient artifact," Maldini still has the pace necessary to keep up with even the best of attacking players.

He certainly showed that when he was beating 19-year-old wonderkids to loose balls at the San Siro and doing particularly well may I add.

In my books, he's certainly near or very close to the top as far as greatest footballers are concerned.

During his haydays at AC Milan, opponents would moan and groan about how they wouldn't be able to get away with their usual tricks and found little room to break away and find space. He's also one of the most versatile of defenders, being able to play both as a center-back and a full-back whenever needed.

If Keegan is lucky enough to break away with the five-time Champions League winner, he's certainly found himself a gem.

England U-21 Steven Taylor could only improve under the influence of Maldini and eventually develop into the centre-back that Geordie fans have expected Taylor to have turned out as.

The same can be said for up and coming Canadian defender David Edgar and Jose Enrique, who has been a major disappointment under both Sam Allardyce and Kevin Keegan this season.

After all, the Magpies can only improve a wayward defense that has already conceded 58 goals in 32 matches played in the Premier League this season.