AC Milan: Ranking the Top 5 Players This Season Going into International Break

Going into the international break in November, there have been a few pleasant surprises as well as disappointments to start Milan's 2014/15 Serie A campaign.

While I've chronicled the problems that have gone wrong at Milan extensively here on Bleacher Report, it's time to once again take a positive angle and list the top five performers so far for the club this season.

After the break is over, these five players will need to continue carrying the squad and hope for help from others if Milan are to reach a top-five spot in the league.

Hint: Daniele Bonera is not on this list.

5. Stephan El Shaarawy

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Desperately trying to evoke his old form, Stephan El Shaarawy deserves a place on this list for his hard work and willingness to keep fighting through tough moments.

His world-class strike against Sampdoria should be the start of a new chapter in his career after he missed virtually all of last season with various injuries and a foot surgery.

El Shaarawy should now have cemented his place in Filippo Inzaghi's starting XI as a left winger.

With his continued hard work, he has even received a call-up from Antonio Conte on the Italian national team.

4. Jeremy Menez

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At times sensational, other times infuriating. The career of Jeremy Menez has been perfectly summed up in the past few months.

During the first few weeks of his Milan adventure, the Frenchman looked like a world-beater. He scored a fabulous backheel goal that shook the Internet against Parma, and it quickly seemed like he'd turn the page and show his immense ability on a weekly basis.

Currently, he hasn't been able to keep the scintillating form up. When he isn't on his game, he dribbles himself into a wall constantly. Instead of looking for the easy pass, Menez will look to take on four or five defenders at once before he's dispossessed. 

His tendency to drift in and out of a game is what has kept him from truly becoming a household name in Europe. Despite this, he still has four goals this season and has become a versatile piece in Inzaghi's formation, where he has either played as a false No. 9 or as a left winger.

3. Ignazio Abate

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The knock on Ignazio Abate throughout his career has always been his final ball after getting himself into a dangerous crossing opportunity.

No one doubts his Olympic pace, which he often utilizes to blow by the opposition's full-back with ease. His speed is also a welcome attribute on the defensive end when Milan tend to press their defensive line high up the field. If the other side breaks for a counterattack, Abate quickly closes down whoever dares venture forward.

Only Lazio winger Antonio Candreva has more assists than Abate's five in Serie A. The difference between this season and ones prior is that the full-back has finally started crossing the ball accurately into the box, adding another dimension to his game.

2. Keisuke Honda

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Even though Keisuke Honda has cooled off in the past few weeks, his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

At one point, he was the joint-leading goal scorer in Serie A. Only three players have found the back of the net more times than Honda, who has six goals so far in Serie A, all coming from various angles which have really shown off his versatility.

Keep in mind that he's also playing out of position as a right winger. In this role, he's been forced to track back and help on the defending end, which he's done valiantly.

Honda is one of the few constants in Inzaghi's starting XI. Apart from his play in open field, he's also the most dangerous player the Rossoneri have at their disposal from set pieces and corner kicks.

1. Nigel de Jong

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While every other player on this list has had their moments of ups and downs throughout these last few months, Nigel de Jong has been the one true constant in the midfield.

He's a warrior that plays right in front of the defensive back four, always looking to intercept passes and cut off lanes. He never gives up on a play and has surprised Milan fans over the pat few seasons with his surprisingly crisp passing when in possession.

Apart from the defending, the Dutchman has even pitched in on the offensive end with a few goals and has really bled the colors on his shirt on the pitch.