Should AC Milan Stick or Twist with Striker Mario Balotelli?

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Mario Balotelli last pulled on an AC Milan shirt.

Since that day—away to Genoa on 27 September—coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has implemented two new tactical setups and the team has endured multiple separate spells of improvement and regression.

Now after almost three months out with a groin injury Balotelli is set to return, with FourFourTwo reporting that he has "returned to group training." And, at a time when the team and the coach are under severe scrutiny, the striker's added presence leads to an intriguing debate.

Undeniably talented yet in possession of a real propensity to frustrate, Balotelli is like few other footballers. His effectiveness has often been undermined by his whimsical nature, something that has once again been subject to public comment recently.

Following the Euro 2016 draw, which saw Italy grouped alongside Belgium, Sweden and the Republic of Ireland, Azzurri coach Antonio Conte nixed the notion of a national team recall for Balotelli.

“It’s up to him, just as all the others, to prove himself,” Conte told the press (h/t Football Italia) before continuing, “He has to prove a lot. Really a lot.”

Cesare Prandelli, Conte’s predecessor as national team coach, has also spoken honestly on Balotelli recently, telling Radio Anch’Io Sport (h/t Football Italia): “Balotelli has qualities that few others have. Potentially he’s among the top five in the world, but clearly football is not the priority in his life. We all hope he can show his talent.”

While Balotelli’s character continues to be a contentious topic, Milan are in no position to start being picky on account of a player’s personality.

After consecutive draws with the two worst teams in Serie A—19th-placed Carpi and bottom-of-the-table Verona—the Rossoneri are in desperate need of goals and points, and Balotelli has the skills to aid the cause.

As an unpredictable, charismatic and aggressive striker, he would seriously improve Milan’s attacking force. Only three times in their last 11 Serie A fixtures have Mihajlovic’s men scored more than once. In the same period, Milan have failed to score on five occasions.

This streak suggests that, generally speaking, Milan lack cutting edge in the final third. This was most clearly evident in the team’s 0-0 draw away to Carpi on 6 December.

Up against Fabrizio Castori’s compact side, who defended in two banks of four, congested space and counter-attacked at speed, Milan struggled to create openings. That particular match was one in which Balotelli’s ingenuity was required. Now it is once again available to Milan, they would be well advised to use it.

Despite making just four appearances, two as a substitute, since rejoining the club on loan from Liverpool at the start of this season, Balotelli made enough of an impression to warrant an immediate re-selection upon his return to full fitness.

According to Squawka, no other Milan player has a higher performance score per 90 minutes of action than the mercurial finisher. Another important statistic is provided by WhoScored.com, who determine that—Giacomo Bonaventura aside—Balotelli contributes more key passes per game than any other Milan player.

Clearly, Balotelli can be an asset to Milan in their present state. The next question therefore regards how he would fit into the new 4-4-2 system Mihajlovic has began utilising of late.

When Balotelli last played, Milan were lining up in a 4-3-1-2 system that was seen as Mihajlovic’s preference, having carried it with him from Sampdoria. Since then, the coach has instigated tactical change, first with a 4-3-3 before bringing in the 4-4-2.

The new system means that Milan can again operate with two strikers. In Balotelli’s absence, this has often seen Carlos Bacca paired with either Luiz Adriano or M’Baye Niang, but the former Manchester City forward must be considered as the favourite to start next to the Colombian when fit.

Bacca, a precision finisher and persistent worker, thrives in front of goal. Balotelli tends to enjoy a freer role, floating across the pitch, dropping deeper and linking up play. Together the two could be a perfect final-third combination of clinical finishing and creativity.

He may be awkward to deal with as a person on a day-to-day basis but, come matchday, Balotelli brings several unique traits to the table. His incorporation within Milan’s new system offers exciting possibilities, too.

Love him or loathe him, in the Rossoneri's current dire state, Balotelli simply cannot be ignored.