How Will Marco van Ginkel Fit into AC Milan's Starting XI?

Highly touted Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel is set to make his Serie A debut with AC Milan this weekend against Parma in what Milan hope will be a continuation of their fine form on opening day against Lazio.

Whether Van Ginkel will start immediately is one question—Matteo Bonetti of Bleacher Report believes he will not get the nod against Parma.

Regardless of his participation in the Parma match, he will be expected to contribute in a big way this season for the Rossoneri despite the fact that he is, for now, a season-long loan signee.

Van Ginkel would not have made the decision to arrive had he not been convinced he would receive regular playing time. Once Riccardo Montolivo returns from injury, things may become murkier, but for now, he should be in the reckoning for a regular spot.

In manager Filippo Inzaghi's 4-3-3 formation, Van Ginkel will fit in as one of the two midfielders supporting Nigel de Jong. De Jong is clearly one of the first names on Inzaghi's team sheet and is currently in no danger of losing his spot.

Even if he did, Van Ginkel would not fit as a defensive midfielder, by his own admission.

In this sense, Milan now have an abundance of players for only a few spots after their signings made late in the transfer window.

Adding Van Ginkel and Giacomo Bonaventura only adds competition for the incumbents. Some players, such as Riccardo Saponara, may be secretly disappointed by the late transfer activity, as it will seemingly cut even further into their already minimal playing time.

Looking back, it is understandable that Bryan Cristante would want to leave for Benfica, as he sensed that he was not going to get the opportunity he so craved to prove his worth at Milan. His absence may not be keenly felt now, but selling Cristante could come back to bite Milan in a few years' time.

Van Ginkel, however, possesses the type of quality that should see him become a regular at Milan and potentially Chelsea.

The fact that Jose Mourinho wanted him to move to Milan and not to Chelsea's favorite loan club, Vitesse Arnhem, indicates that he is at a point in his development where he belongs at a big club. 

Chelsea simply are currently too well-stocked in midfield for Van Ginkel to get a consistent run in the starting XI. This is certainly not an indictment of his skill set.

Milan have secured a coup in bringing him in, and with the player keen on impressing, it is interesting to note who he will force out of the starting lineup.

The midfield three of De Jong, Andrea Poli and Sulley Muntari impressed against Lazio, and neither Poli nor Muntari will be keen to give up his spot. 

Inzaghi will be keeping a close eye on those two and will likely bring Van Ginkel off the bench for one of them this weekend at Parma.

The most logical candidate to partner Van Ginkel would be Poli, who brings energy and aggression to Milan and could be a good foil to Van Ginkel's creativity.

Muntari is a good player, but he sometimes loses concentration and takes wild shots. He is a proven player, however, and he generally puts in a good shift.

One other interesting situation to take note of is Inzaghi's handling of Keisuke Honda. Playing as a right-winger opposite Stephan El Shaarawy and supporting "false nine" Jeremy Menez against Lazio, he grabbed a goal and generally looked more dangerous than he did during his first season at Milan.

With the arrival of Bonaventura, who seems to fit best as a right-winger on this Milan team, Honda might be pushed back into midfield.

Inzaghi faces a conundrum this weekend on who will fit in the midfield and attacking spots in the lineup, and he will have to appease a number of players who will want regular playing time without the added Champions League matches in the schedule.

Injuries will eventually take their toll, but right now, Milan find themselves in a good position. Confidence is growing, and young players such as Van Ginkel seem to be on the verge of finally getting a chance at Milan. This can only be seen as a positive as the club seek a return to the top of Italian football.