Why Jeremy Menez Is Poised to Reach Is Potential with AC Milan This Season

This past weekend will be a night Jeremy Menez won't forget for the rest of his life.

The playmaker who has had a career mired by inconsistency and apathy finally tapped into his potential and gave Milan fans a glimpse of the player he could be on a weekly basis.

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

Menez was brilliant throughout Milan's match against Parma. His work-rate was second-to-none, and he consistently put the defenders under pressure with his searing pace while leading the attack as a false nine. 

Apart from playing a gorgeous through ball to find Ignazio Abate in the play that led to the second goal for Milan, Jeremy Menez pulled off a play that could only be thought of by the most misunderstood of geniuses.

Menez's world-class chipped backheel goal that has now gone viral showed all of his tremendous attributes in one play. His undeniable pace, his ability to think outside the metaphorical footballing box, and his incredible technical skill that allows him to surprise fans with moments of unbridled and unexpected brilliance. 

"

Jeremy Menez with a sick back heel http://t.co/KucONhRjfO

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) September 14, 2014"

He now has three goals in his first two matches for the Rossoneri—two of them came from penalties, and the other should really be worth 10 goals in the grand scheme of things.

The French striker has found a new home at Milan and renewed confidence under Filippo Inzaghi. It's incredible how self-belief can benefit a player like Menez, one who often sulks if he doesn't feel like an important member of the squad.

Menez's entire career has had one constant storyline—a moment of sheer brilliance countered by 90 minutes of frustrating lethargy.

On an interview after the Parma game on La Domenica Sportiva, a popular Italian sports show on RAI, Filippo Inzaghi said that he believes Jeremy Menez is perfect as a central striker and has all the attributes to continue playing that position whenever he's needed.

When asked how the entrance of Fernando Torres would affect Menez, Inzaghi claimed that he'd switch the Frenchman to a wide position, taking full advantage of his versatility as a player.

Inzaghi's face lit up like a Christmas tree talking about Menez, and it's clear that the coach has been the catalyst in pushing the player to succeed on a more consistent basis. Even though the season has just started, there are plenty of promising signs that this dominance by the French attacker can continue on a more consistent basis than what we've seen in the past.

The 27-year-old Menez is right in the prime of his career and will only be boosted by the arrival of Fernando Torres, a player with whom he could link up in the attacking half to great success.

For a free transfer that had previously gone through without much fanfare, the Jeremy Menez signing could end up as being one the steals of the year.