Analysing the Importance of Jeremy Menez to Sinisa Mihajlovic's AC Milan

Last season was Jeremy Menez’s best ever. He was AC Milan’s sole consistent attacking threat, scoring 16 league goals. Following on from that he was set to play a crucial role for the club under new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but injury has since conspired against him.

After having a hernia removed in June, Menez struggled with back problems throughout pre-season. He recovered to come on as a substitute in Milan’s season-opening Coppa Italia win over Perugia, but within days was ruled out once again.

That substitute appearance has remained the Frenchman’s only outing of this season so far and could well continue to be for the foreseeable future as last week Mihajlovic stated that the tricky technician may be out until next February.

“Menez has an infection in the area he was operated on, he is taking antibiotics. He will be out until January or February” Mihajlovic confirmed, per FourFourTwo.

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Menez’s injury woes could not have come at a worse time. On the back of scoring double figures in a season for the first time in his career, he was going to be an important piece in Milan’s puzzle going forward.

With Mihajlovic bringing his favoured 4-3-1-2 system with him from Sampdoria, Menez was seen as the primary contender to undertake the role of trequartista behind a new-look strike duo. Silvio Berlusconi told reporters (h/t Football Italia) as much, saying:

"

Menez has this back problem and it’s a real shame. We thought that he would play behind…(Mario) Balotelli and Carlos Bacca to create a new attacking trident. They were meant to play close together, just six or seven metres apart, with Mario no longer wandering around on the wings the way he did in the past. We were really counting on Menez as a trequartista.

"

Watching from the stands Menez could only look on as others such Giacomo Bonaventura and Keisuke Honda were tested in the role at the start of this season. Now, with the team resurgent following a switch to a 4-3-3 system, Menez’s place in the side upon his return is far from guaranteed.

Bonaventura was one of the better performers in a poor team while Milan tried to adjust to Mihajlovic’s 4-3-1-2 but, since being utilised on the left wing in the 4-3-3, he has arguably looked even better.

He, along with Alessio Cerci on the opposite side, has been a key figure in Milan’s current four-match unbeaten streak and concurrent three-game winning run and, on the evidence of recent weeks, even a fully fit Menez would struggle to earn a starting spot.

According to Squawka’s ratings, Menez was Milan’s best performer last season, though in the current system, and with a more collective onus based around self-sacrifice, mental fortitude and tactical rigour, he may not quite fit in.

While undeniably talented, Menez has always been rather mercurial. His manner of drifting in and out of form is familiar to the way he often flits from one position to another during matches.

His refined touch and creativity can be marred by a selfishness that sometimes sees him relegate the team for his personal whims and, while his caprice was curbed last season, it was still occasionally on show.

Simply put, Menez is not as reliable, nor as consistent, as Bonaventura. Thus, the left-wing berth is unlikely to be an option for him upon his return from injury. That leaves only the right-wing spot open to him, though he will also face competition there.

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Cerci has shown signs that he is putting the jeers of fans behind him with some assertive, confident displays. Additionally, M’Baye Niang recently returned from injury and he too will be angling for one of the wider berths in the 4-3-3.

It’s worth noting that Mihajlovic seems to prefer using inverted wingers who cut in from their flank onto their favoured foot to open up opposition defences. Menez, whose preference is his right foot, is therefore not a natural fit for the right-sided role.

Injuries and new tactics have had the impact of reducing Menez’s importance to Milan. Through little fault of his own, he may have to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench even when back to full fitness and top form.

His skill and moxie make him a valuable squad player, but Milan are starting to click without him and, by next February, there is a real danger that his absence may be entirely forgotten.