Cassano: Invaluable

As it stands Milan have six strikers for next season: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho, Pato, Fillippo Inzaghi, Alberto Paloschi and Antonio Cassano. Yet, the club still seem to be shopping for another one with the likes of Miroslav Klose, FC Porto’s Hulk and as ever Manchester City’s Mario Balotelli all being linked to the club.

Why the club is endeavouring, as it seems, to lure another striker to the San Siro is baffling. There are more than enough options in attack and, instead, energies should be focused on strengthening the midfield. After the sale of Andrea Pirlo and given that Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso, Massimo Ambrosini and Mark van Bommel – who will all be Milan players next season – will also all be yet another year older, there is a real need to bring in younger talented midfield players.

The current roster of strikers was enough to secure the Scudetto this past season, so there is no need for additional strikers. If anything, the one thing Milan did lack last season in attack was a creative force playing behind the strikers. At times the team completely lacked imagination in the final third. The players who were deployed as the team’s playmaker, Clarence Seedorf, Robinho and Kevin Prince Boateng, were all on enough occasions found out to be limited in their ability to create play.

One reason why the club is maybe searching for another striker is because it plans to offload Antonio Cassano. But, if this occurs then this would represent a grave mistake.

After signing for the club in January, Cassano, after making an impressive debut, went on to score a total of four goals including a decisive one against Bari in addition to six assists. He achieved this in just nine starting appearances and a hand full of substitute appearances. This is certainly a fare contribution from a player who had to fight his way back to full fitness after not playing for almost three months as a result of being out casted by Sampdoria’s lunatic President.

Cassano’s statistical contribution was notable and enough to provide good reason why he should stay at the club. But, there is another more important reason why Cassano needs to stay.

The former Bari prodigy represents a special type of player. In the mould of a Francesco Totti or Roberto Baggio, he has that special gift to create something from nothing. Incredibly gifted technically, his unique creative gifts along with his goal scoring ability make him an invaluable player to have even if it is only to call on from the bench as it seems Allegri’s preference to do so.

Though it would be nice to see Cassano starting more games, what he displayed in his six months with Milan this year was that in this latter role, as a bench player, he is content. As the season drew to a close Cassano saw himself starting more games from the bench than not and despite his volatile history he did not complain once. Instead, he remained focused and contributed all he could when he got the chance.

Not since Francesco Totti has Italy produced such a player like Cassano and the production of these types of players seems to be on the wane, not just in Italy, but the world over. This makes Cassano’s unique abilities even more unique and, therefore, valuable. Like a rare stone.

If there are doubts about Cassano’s displays domestically from the Milan hierarchy, though there should be none, then they only have to look at his performances for the Azzurri.

Cassano has established himself as a key figure in Cesare Prandelli’s new look Italy. Though the Azzurri’s boss has said that players will only play if they are playing regularly for their club, Cassano has forced him to reconsider his policy at least in respect to his case.

The Milan striker is Italy’s top goal scorer in their qualifying with three goals and two assists. Come next year’s finals in Poland and Ukraine, Cassano is set to be key to the Azzurri’s chances.

There is little doubt, Cassano is world class. His abilities are unique. Now that he has rid himself of his previous misguided ways, he can contribute much more to Milan. Indeed, the player wants to stay, this much is clear. This is remarkable given that he knows he is not guaranteed a starting berth in Max Allegri’s side.

Antonio Cassano is a new man these days, a mature one who is ready to give his best when given the chance. The club should realise this, in particular, Max Allegri and hence make sure that Cassano’s remains Milan’s number 99 next season.