Gone are the days when Milan was home to some of the football’s most liked and cherished professionals. The likes of Paolo Maldini, Kaka, Cafu, Andriy Shevchenko and Manuel Rui Costa were all highly respected and talented stars of the game when they plied their trade for the red and black of Milan. These players exhibited such attributes like loyalty, commitment, discipline and leadership.

Today, the current Milan roster resembles a rather egomaniacal ensemble. Stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Ronaldinho, who was still a Milan player at the time of writing, are well known for possessing fiery or ill-disciplined behaviour. True, they may be football geniuses but they are flawed characters.

But compared to the latest addition to the Milan squad, Antonio Cassano, the aforementioned trio appear almost completely sane.

A highly talented player, perhaps the most talented of his generation, Cassano’s career has been riddled by numerous disappointments due to his extremely volatile behaviour. Whether it is a clash with a team mate, manager or President, Cassano has managed to alienate himself from practically every club he has played for. Inevitably, when this has happened Cassano has moved on.

Though he spent a rather tame and fruitful three seasons playing for Sampdoria, Cassano’s divorce from the Genoa outfit was typical. A fall-out with club President Garrone led to the player being forced out of the club.

Surprisingly, it was Milan that made the move to sign Cassano. Despite the fact that the Rossoneri already have Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Pato and Inzaghi on their books, the club still felt the need for another addition to their strike force.

Securing the signature of Antonio Cassano Milan have undoubtedly gained a player of incredible talent and one that will make Milan a stronger outfit, at least on paper. However, Milan have also gained a player who lacks discipline and is prone to mental outbursts.

Cassano’s highly volatile nature makes him a virtual time bomb. Given the egoists that already reside in the Milan dressing room, it seems inevitable that sooner or later something will give.

However, perhaps maybe there is a chance that Cassano, now 28 years old, will put aside his tempestuous antics of the past to concentrate on the one thing he does best, playing football. A player who has failed to fulfil his potential in no small part to his own behaviour, just maybe Cassano realises that at Milan he has one final chance to prove himself.

Milan fans and football fans alike will be hoping that this will be the case. That the Cassano of old will finally make way for the Cassano that was promised to the world when as an eighteen year old starlet he scored that wonder goal against Inter.

Much will depend on Milan’s young tactician Max Allegri to contain the many ego’s in the dressing room and somehow help them focus on what is best for the team. This is not small order for a coach who has limited experience dealing with such players.

However, it must be said that Allegri has done a fine job in getting the best out of Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Both these players are now playing for the team, their work rate has increased and they both seem content at Milan. Allegri will need to work the same kind of magic with Cassano.