AC Milan: 5 Age-Old Concerns Allegri Needs to Deal with

Massimiliano Allegri has built a strong side at AC Milan.

After being crowned Serie A champions this year, the onus is on AC Milan to retain their title amidst a summer of strengthening and regrouping by their rivals. My views on the contenders for the Serie A title can be read here, but this article will deal with the next concern in line.

The squad is strong. No doubts. This particular squad is again favourites to win Serie A despite considerable spending by Roma and Juventus.

But the squad is old—also no doubts there. The side that started the Supercoppa Italiana showed its years but there are concerns of how long the legs will hold.

At this moment in time, the players are still top quality, but Allegri needs to plan carefully to maintain a stranglehold on the league by integrating a younger set of players into the squad with the veterans.

Let's take a look at five AC Milan players for whom contingency plans will soon be necessary.

Gennaro Gattuso

Name: Gennaro Ivan Gattuso

D.O.B: 09/01/1978 (Age 33)

Position: Midfielder

Gennaro Gattuso has been a devoted servant to AC Milan since signing in 1999. His tough tackling and no-nonsense style of play has earned him a glowing reputation in Italy. He earned the nickname Ringhio (growl) while at AC Milan in praise of his fierce and aggressive ball-winning skills.

His reliable anchor-like abilities have allowed numerous other creative midfielders in AC Milan's ranks to express themselves but with his career reaching the twilight zone, how will they replace such a monster of a midfielder?

While they could have splashed out on Yann M'vila, AC Milan made the move for Antonio Nocerino this summer.  Landing the fellow Italian is something that has gone down well with the Rossoneri fans.

Alessandro Nesta

Name: Alessandro Nesta

D.O.B: 19/03/1976 (Age 35)

Position: Central defender

With his retirement at the end of the current campaign widely anticipated, a large hole will appear at the centre of Milan's defence.

His situation is perhaps dissimilar to Andrea Pirlo's in that while Milan learnt to play without Pirlo due to his many injuries, Nesta is still turning out the performances. 35 appearances total last season proves his body is still able to cope with rigours of top level football.

This season, Philippe Mexés has been recruited from AS Roma to provide additional personnel in central defence. However, with Nesta retiring, AC Milan will still be short of one quality centre back as Daniele Bonera is no adequate replacement and Mario Yepes is the same age as Nesta.

Mark van Bommel

Name: Mark van Bommel

D.O.B: 22/04/1977 (Age 34)

Position: Midfielder

Similar to Alessandro Nesta, Mark van Bommel signed a one-year contract extension after winning Serie A but this looks to be his last year.

He is hard-tackling, aggressive and a touch on the dirty side (World Cup 2010 anyone?), but ultimately serves as a very effective driving force in the midfield. Able to operate at CM or DM, he is a useful body to have in the middle of Milan's midfield.

Van Bommel and Gattuso represent two ageing vital presences in AC Milan's midfield able to tackle and win the ball. Antonio Nocerino's arrival solves one spot, but consider Massimo Ambrosini, who doesn't feature in this article but stands at the age of 33, and you start to realise AC Milan could have an expensive job redoing their midfield. 

Clarence Seedorf

Name: Clarence Clyde Seedorf

D.O.B: 01/04/1976 (Age 35)

Position: Midfielder

Clarence Seedorf has had quite a career to date, packed with club and individual honours. He is truly one of the greatest Dutch players to have played and has been recognised, on numerous occasions, as one of the greatest players in the world during his prime.

He is yet another whose contract expires at the end of the season and he will be tough to replace. He has been at Milan since 2002. He is skilled on the ball, a threat from outside the box and a leader on the pitch.

He has been honoured for his work off the pitch too, providing birth country Suriname with the "Clarence Seedorf Stadium". How will AC Milan counteract losing such a professional when the time comes? 36 appearances last season tells you he is still a key player for the team.

His loss might be offset by the the full transfer and emergence of Kevin-Prince Boateng, but losing a man of his class hurts whoever you replace him with.

Gianluca Zambrotta

Name: Gianluca Zambrotta

D.O.B: 19/02/1977 (Age 34)

Position: Full-back

Gianluca Zambrotta is perhaps the most pressing concern for AC Milan. While the players discussed previously are still fully capable in performing for this season, Zambrotta perhaps does not fall into this category.

AC Milan's team is star studded across the board except for right-back. Zambrotta appears to have lost his place to Ignazio Abate—not that thrilling either—and was moved to left-back until the recruitment of Taye Taiwo.

Zambrotta will have a hard time getting into the team this season and AC Milan need to find a quality right-back to complete their team.

It feels like the record is on repeat, but when Zambrotta does take his leave, AC Milan will lose a 101 cap Italian World Cup winner—a loss for any dressing room.