Five key players to Milan’s success this season

The five players who can change the course of Milan’s season along with the star power of Balotelli, Kaka, Montolivo and El Shaarawy.

For any club to succeed over the course of a season, it is crucial for the “non-star” players to make a mark. Over the years Milan has seen a number of fringe players – for the lack of a better word – step up to the plate and help steer the course for a successful season. The former Czech national Marek Jankulovski played a crucial role in the Champions League winning season of 2006-07, Italian duo Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini plugged the hole on Milan’s wings during the 2008-09 season under Brazilian coach, Leonardo.

More recently Kevin Prince Boateng was signed by Milan in a summer transfer period that saw the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho, but the Ghanian deservedly held his place in the squad eventually taking over the number 10 shirt for Milan. Antonio Nocerino’s arrival in 2011-12 was not a star signing however he ended the season as Milan’s second highest goal scorer. At the commencement of the 2012-13 campaign Milan saw the departure of a number of stars and legends, setting the stage for 19-year-old, Stephan El Shaarway who ended the year as Milan’s leading goal scorer rescuing the club from a number of losses over the course of the season.

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A lot of these breakthrough performances have arguably changed the course of a season for the club. After a tough start to this campaign, Rossoneri fans are yearning for another season changing performer. Let us see which players have the potential and the capability to step up to the plate and help Milan succeed this time around.

Mattia De Sciglio – The 20-year-old Milan youth product made 27 league appearances last season for the Rossoneri providing a number of high caliber performances at left-back. Convincing enough to draw praise from and comparisons to Milan Legend Paolo Maldini. De Sciglio has started this season with an injury not having played in any of Milan’s nine games. He is likely to take over the left-back spot from Kevin Constant upon his return.

Valter Birsa – aka Abate look-alike. This 27-year-old Slovenian winger has the potential to become Milan’s signing of the season, especially considering how he arrived at Milan. The Rossoneri swapped Antonini, a left-back who stood third or fourth in Milan’s pecking order in exchange for a midfielder who has shown great skill in his four games for Milan. Allegri has often been criticized for starting the Slovenian, but no one will be complaining seeing Birsa’s man of the match performance against Sampdoria, which also saw him score his first goal for the red and black.

Urby Emanuelson – Urby arrived at Milan in the star-studded 2011-winter transfer period that saw the signing of Antonio Cassano and Mark Van Bommel. The 2012-13 season has been his best with 42 appearances for the club. Despite the lack of success till now, 27-year-old Emanuelson has the potential to play an integral part for Milan. His flexibility to be able to play anywhere on the left flank makes him an asset to the club. The Dutchman is an excellent dribbler and injects serious pace into the team whenever brought on this season, especially in the last two games against Sampdoria and Bologna.

Andrea Poli – At 23-years-old Poli looks like a Milan player for the future. Of all the signings this summer, Poli has undoubtedly shown the most potential. He opened the season with a goal away to Hellas Verona. In some fifty games for Sampdoria, Poli found the back of the net only three times. With Milan he has scored twice in five games. The issue with Poli is his lack of consistency. The talent on the other hand is undoubtedly there. If the Italy international gets consistent playtime and competent guidance under Allegri, Poli will flourish in Milan.

M’baye Niang – When it comes to teenage prospects, one needs to look no further than Niang. This 18-year-old French forward has shown immense promise at the club. Niang has pace, strength and an uncanny ability to dribble the ball past defenders, what he lacks is his ability to finish. If he can start scoring goals from the plays he creates, he will be considered in the same class as Balotelli. With injuries to Kaka, El Shaarawy, Pazzini and Matri’s slow start, the stage is set for the young Frenchman to prosper.

If Milan can get these players to start performing consistently, they will likely see an upturn in results for the club both in the Serie A and Champions League.

Other players like Ricardo Saponara, Bryan Cristante, Jherson Vergara, and Gabriel also look like promising talents for the future. However due to a serious lack of play time it is unlikely they will have much of an impact this season. Saponara is the only player who is likely to get some play time.