Why Jeremy Menez Must Continue Carrying AC Milan's Attack in Serie A

Jeremy Menez was once again Milan's best performer in the offensive sector. With Fernando Torres battling a nagging ankle injury and Giampaolo Pazzini misfiring, the Frenchman is Inzaghi's best option to lead the attacking line.

For a player who has been wildly inconsistent throughout his career, matches like the one he had against Udinese are a refreshing reminder of the player he could be if he was able to create that type of magic on a weekly basis.

Menez is the leading goalscorer for Milan with seven goals so far this season, which is ironically tied for the most he has ever scored in his career in a single campaign. Being on pace to easily go to double digits means coach Filippo Inzaghi must continue focusing on how to best utilize Menez in the 4-3-3.

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Jeremy Menez with a brilliant solo goal to make it 2-0 for Milan http://t.co/I320y7NP1U

— Football Vines (@FootballVines) November 30, 2014"

At this moment in time, he's the best option available for the coach and will continue building chemistry with both El Shaarawy and Keisuke Honda, who have different attributes to what Menez can offer.

We've seen the former French international thrust in various roles. He's taken up both wing positions on either flank and has also been deployed as a false No.9. Unsurprisingly, six out of the seven goals he has scored for the Rossoneri have come in matches where he has been deployed as the leading striker.

When Fernando Torres is on the pitch, Menez is forced to take on a more retracted role on the wing.

While he is proficient at attacking the defenders from the left, he has more space and doesn't clash with teammates when he's leading the line alongside Stephan El Shaarawy and Keisuke Honda, who tend to stay out of his way when he's venturing forward.

Menez has also drawn penalties with his elusive movements in the box.

He often likes faking a shot or doing any sort of body hesitation of feint to trick the defender and send him sprawling on the ground. While this tactic has also been overused to the point where it becomes frustrating when he gets dispossessed, it's a joy to watch when he's successful with his dribble.

Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Another aspect of his game which he has seemingly added this season has been his work rate off the ball. Oftentimes, we see him venturing back into the midfield to retrieve the ball and kick-start the attack, or putting pressure on an opposing defender.

With Torres ineffective and Pazzini woefully out of form, Menez is the best bet for Inzaghi going forward. While he might not have the characteristics of a typical centre-forward, he has been trying to create a unique role that's unlike what we've normally become accustomed to seeing in the Serie A.