Is David Beckham AC Milan's Missing Piece?

Three months ago, when I first read the news about Beckham joining Milan in January for a 90-day free loan from LA Galaxy, I must confess that I grew sceptical, like many others, on the benefits that such a move could bring to our age-struggling squad.

It could perhaps generate some media impact for a few weeks, I said; a few more coins in the piggy bank, but for being honest, I wasn't really amused of thinking in my Milan as a vacuum for the elder who comes to pick up on every bargain or devaluated item offered by the market.

Three months later, I shall admit I had to swallow my words at such respect.

Not only has the man fitted in so far superbly, but in fact, has became the perfect patch to reinforce an area in Milan's tactical scheme and strategy that has been frequently left to languish, following Gattuso's frequent injury problems, and Pirlo's gradual decline.

Last Sunday's performance against Lazio at the Olimpico has been the latest of a series of brilliant executions which have directly produced two goals and were crucial to cause five more, helping Milan grab the second place in the race for the scudetto and fuelling Rossoneri's hopes of getting something big this season, after the bitter taste in their mouths left by the previous one.

Beckham's well-known ability to produce clinical assists to goal have seemingly not lost a bit of their usual effectiveness, despite the years. In fact, it seems to me they are now sharper and more cleverly-thrown than ever.

And Milan's forefront is quickly starting to learn on the benefits of taking advantage of such a weapon, as the likes of Pato, Kaká, Seedorf, and even Ambrosini are progressively feeling more and more comfortable at the expectancy of grabbing one of such gifts and sending them right to the bottom of the opponent's net.        

To Milan's rise has helped a lot, besides Beckham's contribution, the excellent shape showed by Pato, and the gradually rebuilding of the milanist defence, with Senderos finally looking like a more reliable option, and Abbiatti displaying a firm determination between the posts.   

The other side of the coin is Ronaldinho: He has become, in this Rossoneri's coin throw, the side against the sun, the one facing the ground. Years-light from the shape he showed in his best years at Barcelona, he's apparently been awarded with a non-refundable ticket pass to watch Milan from the substitute's bench; and to add more misery to his situation, neither the rampant display by Beckham, nor the apparent incompatibility with Kaka at the pitch, help to improve his rank before Ancelotti's eyes.

For how much longer a star like Ronaldinho could bear this without starting to create some  uneasiness? I don't know, but maybe he's expecting to reach an acceptable form by the time the UEFA cup resumes and then knock harder at the door for a place at the first team, to show he still counts.

That will also depend, I'm afraid, of Milan's decision to register or not Beckham in the UEFA tournament; as long as I know they will register the  Englishman, and if so, then some problems may arouse, as pressure and frustration can grow more intense in Ronaldinho.

Returning to Beckham, it seems that the 90-day free loan has become in fact, a 90-day free trial. Beckham seems to feel the Milan nerve and Milan apparently wants to remove the caducity date of the original deal.

Beckham has seen there is little life in USA in terms of football, and Milan wants to take advantage of the situation.

Will they come to an agreement? Will LA Galaxy allow this? Let's see how this ends. For now, both sides are happy, Milan's play is improving, and La Maddonina, the final assault to the tournament's head, is two weeks from now. Any bets?