Why Filippo Inzaghi Must Base His AC Milan Attack on Jeremy Menez

Filippo Inzaghi goes into the 2015 calendar year with plenty of decisions to make in terms of how to best squeeze out every bit of talent from Milan's roster.

Jeremy Menez must be considered the main focal point of the attack, especially now that Fernando Torres has moved on to Atletico Madrid in exchange for Alessio Cerci, who's a natural winger.

Menez has bagged a team-high eight goals so far this campaign, surprising many with his improved ethic and hard work.

Even though he can be infuriating sometimes by trying to dribble past too many defenders, he seems to be playing more selflessly and has been very hard for opposing defenders to stop.

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Out of everyone in the front line, the Frenchman always seems to be the most likely to score. Stephan El Shaarawy hasn't found his scoring boots on a consistent basis while Keisuke Honda has tapered off a bit in the last month.

The beauty of Menez is that he can fill multiple roles up front. While he seems more comfortable as a left winger, he has also had some success playing the false-nine role that Lionel Messi has made quite popular at Barcelona.

While Menez doesn't have the typical characteristics you'd look for in your man leading the line, he is difficult to mark as he often takes up different positions on the pitch.

Whether he's interchanging flanks periodically or drifting into the center of the midfield to retrieve the ball, he has an element of surprise in his game which makes him a joy to watch. 

Menez certainly isn't an aerial threat, so the fullbacks have to adjust their game slightly going forward, perhaps playing a low cross rather than pinging it high into the box

Now that Torres isn't in the squad anymore, Giampaolo Pazzini remains as the only real No. 9 in the squad, a player who can hold up the ball and is able in the air. It remains to be seen whether or not Milan bring in another out-and-out striker, but at the moment it seems that Inzaghi and company will be content with what they have.

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If Pazzini does play, then Menez has a slightly different role on the left wing. He'll often cut inside from the flank where he puts the ball on his right foot and often goes for goal or looks to continue his dribble until a gap opens up for a teammate.

Menez had a hard time linking up with Fernando Torres as the two never really seemed to be on the same page offensively. Without Torres, Milan's attack looked more explosive, especially in the 4-2 victory against Real Madrid where the Rossoneri lined up with Menez, El Shaarawy and Giacomo Bonaventura up front.

In the end, Inzaghi should be content with lining up his wealth of wingers in the middle of the attack and not using a striker who would have reminded him of himself as a player.

Expect Menez to continue bagging goals and leading Milan's new-look attack into the new year with success.