Top Performers Through 4 Matches

Milan has revamped the squad from last season and have added some key players to the squad as new manager Pippo Inzaghi looks to restore order to Milan and bring the Rossoneri back to the Champions League. Through 4 matches (Lazio, Parma, Juventus, Empoli), there have been some standout performers for the club that have surprised us all. Here are the top three players for Milan through four weeks of play in the 2014/15 Serie A season:

1. Jérémy Menez: Menez arrived from PSG this past summer for free. The move was questioned by many Milan supporters as issues surrounding the Frenchmen's work ethic and energy remained. Inzaghi was impressed with Menez in the friendly matches leading up to match day one so he decided to  start him in the false 9 position. In his first match v Lazio, he earned and scored a penalty goal to help seal a 3-1 victory for Inzaghi. Against Parma, he scored his second penalty and earned a brace by scoring a superb back heel goal in a 5-4 win. In four matches, Menez has 3 goals and has impressed everyone. Expect him to be a major contributor for Milan the rest of the way.

2. Keisuke Honda: Honda arrived for free last January from CSKA Moscow and was immediately expect to be a big contributor. People began to debate about whether he would be best suited as a right-midfielder/winger or a central midfielder behind the striker. In the second half of last season, Honda failed to live up to the immediate high expectations placed on him. It was unfair for a guy to be asked to be his normal self after changing to a completely different environment in Italy. This season, he has improved dramatically for Milan, playing out wide. Through four matches, he has scored 3 goals while assisting 1. Honda has looked far more comfortable this season, playing out wide while cutting in at times to score which he did v Empoli. Honda has given Inzaghi a quality talent on the right, a strong left footed free kick taker and perhaps a good scoring threat. This is the Honda we expected and he has shown why we coveted him so much.

3. Ignazio Abate: Abate has been with a Milan for several years now and has seemingly been the number one option at right-back. However, last season, he had a down year as did the entire club. Rumors began to swirl around about a possible departure from Milan but he has remained for at least one more season. His contract expires this June so his great run of form this season will surely appeal to many teams across Europe. Abate has always been a suspect crosser at a position that desperately cries for that ability. His ability to move forward and back to defend with sprinter pace has always been appreciated but his poor ability to swing in consistent crosses has left Milan fans questioning his stay. This year, he looks like a rejuvenated player for Inzaghi. He still has great speed and his work rate is just as good. Abate has improved dramatically as a crosser through four matches which is great for Menez, Torres and Pazzini who are the top three number 9 options. The 27 year old Italian international has arguably been the club's most improved player as he has finally learned to cross with consistency. In four matches, Abate has 4 assists (leads the team). Factor in his quickness, effort and ability to now provide good service on the right flank, Abate has been reborn. Milan will surely want to offer him a contract and keep him away from reported suitor, Juventus.

New "Kid" On The Block: The impact of Jérémy Ménez

The arrival of Jérémy Ménez to Milan for free this past June was, at the time, a questionable move for Galliani. Questions surrounding his work ethic and the impact he would provide swirled throughout the summer. But with 3 goals in 2 Serie A matches (both wins), Ménez is all ears, asking "and you were saying?"

Mnez arrived to Milan this past June for free in the hopes of lighting a fire under the rear of his career which seemingly started to decline a bit. PSG didn't have a place for him and when Pippo Inzaghi and management met with the player, Ménez instantly felt Milan was the right place to go to prove to the world that at age 27, he can still be a dynamic player. Of course, Milan had a few wingers already penciled in to be given ample time so Ménez would have to prove his worth both in training and in friendly matches leading up to the Serie A campaign. Ménez showcased himself at the summer tournament, International Champions Cup. This was his "tryout" for Pippo to see how much he could be relied on this season being as Milan lacked the amount of quality wingers needed for Inzaghi's 4-3-3 formation. Despite the club underachieving at the ICC as a whole, Ménez showed determination and energy which were two of the main concerns with him coming in. Still, most Milan fans wouldn't think much of just a few decent performances in friendly matches with little meaning. Milan is in a downfall and unless the club starts winning, individual performance don't really mean much. Postitive results are what Milan fans desire. Simple. We all wanted quality play in games with meaning and with the Rossoneri opening up the season with three tough opponents, one being the Juventus, this is the stage.

Match day one arrived and Milan opened up the season v Lazio. Ménez got the nod from Pippo to start up front in the false 9 position, a spot he typically doesn't play. Throughout the game, we saw the "grinta" and passion of not just Ménez but the entire squad. Pippo appeared to have instilled a different type of motivation into this squad that we haven't seen in some time. The club looked genuinely thrilled to be playing for Pippo and Milan. Ménez earned a penalty and scored it with ease, netting his first goal in his debut for the club. The result was a 3-1 win for Milan and Ménez, being asked to play out of position, performed extremely well and was Man of the Match in the eyes of most Milan supporters. At this time, Milan fans witnessed just a glimpse of what this player could provide.

On match day two v Parma, Ménez again played as a false 9 due to Torres not being active for the match. Again, it was the Frenchman providing the spark in the attack and even at times dropping into the midfield to retrieve passes. He was doing it all for Milan and the confidence Pippo instilled into Ménez paid dividends. He earned another penalty and punched it in but it was his second goal that caught the attention of not just Pippo, Milan and Serie A but also Europe. Ménez took advantage of a
poor back pass by the Parma defender to Mirante and he took a delicate touch brilliance to beat the keeper before finishing off the play with a nifty, out of nowhere back heel goal that had the manager erupting on the sideline. Milan hung on to beat Parma 5-4, earning 6 points in two matches.

Through two Serie A matches with Milan, Jérémy Ménez has netted 3 goals from the false 9 position. Yes, you read that correctly but in case you don't believe me, rub your eyes and read again. 3 goals in 2 games and he has instantly earned the confidence of Pippo. His motivation to score, the drive he shows up and down the pitch and his immediate love for the crest has ignited the Milan fans already. With a huge contest this weekend v Juventus, Ménez will surely get the nod to start regardless of whether or not both El Shaarawy and Fernando Torres are fit. Currently, Ménez is clicking on all cylinders and if this is what he will bring to Milan week in and week out, he will no doubt be the best signing Milan had of the summer.