The Current State of AC Milan and a Look into the Future

Kaka has left, Paolo Maldini has retired, Carlo Ancelloti left for Chelsea, and now it seems as though Andrea Pirlo might leave as well, not to mention Alexandre Pato. Things do not appear so rosy for Milan at first glance.

And yet, Milan is in better shape than it might seem at first glance. Take a closer look, and you'll discover a team that might just surprise everyone in the up-and-coming Champions League season.

Most people, mainly fans of the EPL, have written off AC Milan (just like the rest of the Italian contingent participating in the Champions League) already. They like to point out that with Kaka gone, Milan has lost their best player who supposedly up until now had been dragging them up a steep, steep mountain.

Kaka, although my favorite player and a player of immense skill, nigh irreplaceable skill, does not signify the utter downfall of Milan and the entire apocalyptic breakdown of the Italian league.

With all the hype today concentrated on just single players of a certain team such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi and how much they themselves alone can do for an entire team, people have begun to forget the fact that football is above all, a team sport.

No player can play all 11 positons on the pitch. Cristiano would never have been able to achieve the dizzying heights he did without Man United, neither could Messi without Barcelona, and neither could have Kaka without Milan.

Because although these players can do unbelievable things with the ball at their feet, what happens when they don't have possession? Because for all their attacking prowess, they aren't exactly known for their abilities to win back possession. And that's where the rest of the team comes in.

Plus, if anybody has the ability to replace him, it has to be Ronaldinho who is already on the squad. He started his Milan career in a great fashion, only to get injured and then completely ignored by Ancellotti.

Now, he will have his last chance to show the world that he can still be a nightmare for defenders, and you can bet your bottom dollar that he'll take it. 

Age is another factor for Milan. Currently, Milan stands as one of the oldest teams in Europe, and that has led to it being dubbed a "retirement home" for has-been stars. And to a certain extent that is true, the team's average age is a little too far over 30, however, players like Pirlo (age 30) are still some of the best in their respective positions.

Granted, Pirlo did have a drop in form but some would argue that he has regained it at the Confederations Cup and although he may not be back to his absolute best, he has played great.

Alessandro Nesta used to be widely considered as the best CB in the world previous to his back injuries, and although he made just one lonely substitute appearance for the entire '08-'09 season (last game of that season vs. Fiorentina), he still looked the part and hopefully he can still play the part.

Fillipo Inzaghi, as if by some divine magic, still has the ability to bang in the goals at the ripe, old age of 35 (it's beyond me how he does it, he seems to be the luckiest striker ever).

Gennaro Gattusois the battling midfielder who is the spirit of Milan and even if he is out of form, just the presence of him on the pitch inspires the players around him.

However, there are some players that need to go such as Clarence Seedorf and Giussepe Favalli, they can be reserve players, but in no way should they be part of the starting eleven anymore.

To sum it up, age is just a number—it doesn't matter how old a player is, just as long as he can play good. He can be 21 or 35, if he can contribute to a team than it shouldn't matter. And certain players on Milan's roster that are over 30, can still bring the heat.

Furthermore, AC Milan have a host of young talent who are more than likely going to be making appearances next season, seeing as Milan haven't been that active on the transfer scene.

One youngster has already made his way into the starting 11 and featured prominently for Milan last season—Alexandre Pato. He is the future of the club, tipped to become World Player of the Year in a few years time, and with the form he's in it seems pretty likely. He could be just what Milan need to fill the gap left by Kaka's departure in attack.

Defense is where the new blood is needed most, and that's also where it is coming in. Thiago Silva, age 24, is likely to partner Nesta at CB next year. Matteo Darmian is also a promising prospect, age 19.

Ignazio Abate has recently come back from Torino where he was on loan, and he adds a nice new feature for Milan since he plays as a left winger; Milan hasn't had an out-and-out winger since Serginho.

The last thing to adress is the acquisition of new players and the question of whether or not the current players have the hunger to succeed. First of all, I know I'll probably get grilled for this, but I don't think that Berlusconi and Galliani should leave Milan.

Berlusconi is the man who invested so heavily in Milan in the first place. When he first bought the club, it was flirting with relegation. In a few short years time, he had transformed it into the juggernaut that it was throughout the late '80s to the early part of this decade.

Galliani has also been instrumental in acquiring key players such as Kaka. These men gave us Milan fans the golden age of Milan and I trust them still, trust them to keep us on the right track. As for buying new players, we have to be realistic.

I know everybody likes to play fantasy manager, saying "Oh, we should get Benzema, and Ribery, and David Villa, and Sergio Ramos, and Vidic, etc.", but that just isn't possible. You have to look at who we can actually get, and the team is making those moves for the right players.

Dzeko is a confirmed target and he is exactly what we need. We nearly got Aly Cissoko but medical issues have halted talks. The club is making the right, REALISTIC moves and the fans should show a little patience and faith.

Also, I believe the current players do want to win, especially Ronaldinho. It hurts him to not be in the national team, and seeing as this  is a World Cup year, you can expect him to give it his all.

Plus, the way the team and the players are talked about these days, the way they're being insulted, I think this will in the end only serve to motivate them to prove everyone wrong.

There's a sense of wounded pride about the team, and they want to restore their place in the upper echelon of European clubs. These players have tasted success before and they haven't forgotten how sweet it is.

I'm not saying that this Milan side will win everything next season, or that they'll blow all the opposition away, but if they sign two or three more players and address the issue of defense, then they could be a very competitive team that goes some way towards dispelling the notion that the Seria A is no longer a quality league.

Let this be a warning to any team that underestimates the danger of AC Milan.