The Direction of the Rossoneri

There's no mincing words: AC Milan had a very disappointing 2007-08 campaign. Practically
eliminated from the race for the Scudetto before Christmas by only winning four of their first twelve matches, they were never able to find their form and wound up finishing fifth, which means they'll have to settle for playing in the UEFA Cup for the 2008-09 season (for American fans, this is European soccer's version of the N.I.T.). They went from winning the Champions league in 2007 to an old, broken-down team that just didn't have the ability to score goals. The question is now how do they fix the mess they've made and improve the team for not only 2008-09 but beyond as well.

Players who have already left
Alberto Gilardino - This man went from immediate impact player when he scored 17 goals in 34 domestic matches in Milan's 88-point 2005-06 campaign to a missing man when he scored 7 goals in 30 domestic matches last season. He oftentimes found himself on the bench in favor of Pippo Inzaghi or Brazilian wunderkind Alexandre Pato, often barely seeing any action at all. He was sold to Fiorentina for 14 million euros.

Cafu - He spent five seasons with Milan as a very good right back, helping to anchor a club known for its tough back line. His contract expired and was not renewed heading into next season. He will return to Brazil, although club Vice-President Adriano Galliani has left the door open for Cafu to return to the club in some official capacity. He scored a goal in his last match with the Rossoneri and was saluted by the home fans at the San Siro.

Serginho - Spent 10 seasons with Milan, winning two Champions League titles, one Scudetto, two UEFA Super Cup titles, one Coppa Italia, and the FIFA Club World Cup. A strong bench player but never a superstar, Serginho always did his part to contribute to the club's efforts on the pitch.

Ricardo Oliveira - He spent the 2007-08 season on loan to Spanish side Real Zaragoza. He had a breakout season for them, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, including 17 in league play. He never found his footing at Milan and was transferred for a reported 10 million Euros in May.

New Arrivals
Mathieu Flamini - This 24-year-old midfielder enjoyed a fine season for English side Arsenal in 2007-08, not scoring many goals but doing a superb job marking in the midfield and setting up teammates with good passing. He should do well in Milan's 4-3-2-1 formation, working behind the attacking midfield duo of Kaka and Clarence Seedorf.

Marco Borriello - This former Milan man was co-owned with Genoa, where he spent his 2007-08 season. He scored 19 goals in the 2007-08 campaign which was the third-highest total in Serie A. He will help breathe life into a Milan attack that stalled at times last season. Paired with Pato up front with Pippo Inzaghi coming off the bench, Milan should do a much better job finishing next season.

Christian Abbiati - The keeper position became a problem for Milan last year with the embarassing "injuries" suffered by the ineffective Dida that forced Zeljko Kalac into a starting role. He definitely did a serviceable job and one cannot complain too much, but it was clear at times that Milan needed a serious upgrade at keeper. A popular rumored target was Artur Boruc from Celtic, but Abbiati might solve the problem as he returns on a loan from Spanish side Atletico Madrid. I'm sure Milan will look for another keeper just in case, but as of right now, Abbiati is looking like the first team keeper.

Gianluca Zambrotta - With the retirement of Cafu and "Il Capitano" Paolo Maldini, Milan is facing a shortage at their once stout back line. Italian national Zambrotta will go towards locking up the defense. At age 31, he's not exactly young, but he's a strong defender who will slide into the a wingback position with Massimo Oddo on the other side and Alessandro Nesta and Kahka Kaladze in the middle for the time being.

What still remains...
Any Rossoneri's fan wishlist would probably include a keeper, a young defender, a midfielder and a striker, but the acquisitions they've already made will go towards making Milan a serious contender for the Scudetto next year, especially if Zlatan Ibrahimovic is going to leave Inter Merda as is popularly rumored. I'd like to see Milan go after the following players:

Didier Drogba - Sure, he's a big mule who falls down a lot and had his problems finishing, but he's at phenomenal shape and at 31, would make a formidable pair with either Borriello or Pato up front should Milan decide to play with two forwards.

Artur Boruc - Abbiati is not a bad addition, but I think Milan still needs a top-flight keeper and I think Boruc would be the perfect person to fill that role. He's done a very good job for Scottish side Celtic F.C. and I think he would help solidify the back end of the Milan defense.

João Moutinho - This is a pipe dream, to be sure, but someone who Portugal decides to give the number 10, the number of Il Maestro, Rui Manuel César Costa (my favorite player of all-time) has to be good. And he is. Playing the center midfield role for Sporting Lisbon, it's only a matter of time before this 21-year-old phenom is transferred to a top side (Manchester United is said to be the early favorite). I think pairing him with (or even protecting against the eventual loss of) Kaka would be in Milan's best interests and I'd love to see them swoop in and steal him out from under the noses of the big English and Spanish sides now.

Dimitar Berbatov - If Didier Drogba is too pricey for Milan's taste, than Berba might be a nice consolation prize. The 27-year-old Bulgarian was a great finisher for Tottenham Hotspur and is definitely on the market this summer. There is said to be a furious bidding contest for his services among sides in the English Premier League, but I'd love to see Milan swoop in and steal him for 10 to 15 million Euros. I think his ability to score with either foot or in the air would fit in well with this team with players such as Andrea Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf who have the ability to fit perfect aerial crosses into the most narrow of windows.

I think if Milan, as constituted with the new signings, will be able to compete for and possibly win the Scudetto next season. I think bringing in one or two more big signings would push them over the top and help them unseat both Inter and Juventus at the top of the table and make a triumphant return to Champions League play for the 2009-10 season.