Ranking AC Milan's Top 5 Players for 2015

2015 saw AC Milan finish in their lowest league position since 1998 and struggle to improve despite spending vast amounts of money on new players.

In such desperate circumstances, it makes sense there is a paucity of consistent individual performers to consider when ranking their finest players of the year.

Few of Milan’s players have truly stood out with the frequency required to leave an indelibly positive impact on the memory. If we were to talk in levels, there has been one exceptional standout, a small number who have enjoyed generally decent form and a large volume whose displays will be easily forgotten.

As such, rating the Rossoneri’s best players for 2015 is a difficult task, though that’s exactly what we at Bleacher Report have done. Read on to find out who made the top five.

5. Luca Antonelli

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Luca Antonelli joined Milan on an initial loan deal in January 2015 and impressed enough with his performances in that six-month spell to earn a permanent move over the summer.

Previously with Genoa, the attack-minded left-back has quickly settled into life in the more orthodox tactical confines found in Milan, firstly under Filippo Inzaghi’s tutelage before Sinisa Mihajlovic was appointed head coach in the summer.

A regular member of the Italy national team, Antonelli has to compete with Mattia De Sciglio for his position at both club and international level, and it is a personal battle he is winning.

In 2016, Antonelli’s primary focus should be on remaining injury free and cementing the Milan left-back berth as his own before nailing down a place in Italy’s squad for the European Championship in France.

4. Carlos Bacca

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Carlos Bacca was Milan’s marquee signing of 2015, arriving as he did from Europa League winners Sevilla for €30 million on July 2. The Colombian forged a reputation as a cool, clinical finisher in Spain, and he hasn’t done that status any harm since moving to Italy.

A late starter, Bacca is now 29 years old but has adapted well to the tactics and defensive organisation of football on the peninsula. Despite not starting every game, he has hit eight league goals in the first half of the 2015/16 Serie A campaign.

His movement, work ethic and precision finishing has added a sharpness to Milan’s attack that simply wasn’t present beforehand.

3. Jeremy Menez

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In the 2014/15 season, Jeremy Menez was without doubt Milan’s most reliable player. Week after week, his audacious trickery, whimsical dribbling runs and presence in and around the opposition area were the team’s main source of goals.

His tally of 16 league strikes was his best in one season, while he also set up four goals to earn a strong 7.29 average rating on WhoScored.com.

Since the arrival of Mihajlovic, the French technician has been blighted by injuries and consequently has only made one appearance, but he is scheduled to return in 2016.

If he can reclaim the form he showed last season, Menez could be an inspirational squad member for Milan to have available.

2. Alessio Romagnoli

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It took a while for Milan to sign Alessio Romagnoli, but with his solid displays since moving to the club from Roma in pre-season, he appears worth the wait.

Widely viewed as one of the most promising young players in Italy, Romagnoli thrived during a loan spell with Sampdoria last season under Mihajlovic’s guidance before following the coach to San Siro.

At 20 years of age he has shown immense maturity, not just in adapting to playing for such a historic club but also in shrugging off the €25 million price tag he came with.

Romagnoli seems to be growing into a physically and mentally stronger centre-back, and Milan will need his defensive resolve if their form is to improve in 2016.

1. Giacomo Bonaventura

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When asked to name Milan’s best player of 2015, there is only one logical answer: Giacomo Bonaventura.

A sophisticated attacking midfielder who relies more on his wits and technique than speed or athleticism, Bonaventura has established himself as the Rossoneri’s key creative influence in the last six months.

According to WhoScored.com, he has been the team’s best performer by quite a distance with his 7.58 rating bettered by only two other players in all of Serie A: Palermo’s Franco Vazquez and Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain.

Whether on the left wing in a 4-4-2 or behind the strikers in a 4-3-1-2, Bonaventura can be relied upon to open up defences.