The Audi Cup finished this past week and there were few positives for Milan to take back to Italy. The team lacked sharpness, effectiveness in midfield and at times lacked in concentration at the back.

Amongst the negatives were the performances of Antonio Cassano. A great talent no doubt, the Italian looked well behind the pace and a little overweight. As much was noted by Adriano Galliani, “Cassano needs to lose weight”, were his words and he is not wrong.

Admittedly, it is the preseason and players at this stage normally do carry a few extra kilos gained over summer. But, Cassano’s weight has been a problem ever since arriving at the Milanello for he did not play for some three months after being exiled from first team action at his previous club, Sampdoria.

Following the conclusion of the Audi Cup, Max Allegri declared that Cassano is fourth in the pecking order of the strikers with Robinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pato all ahead of him. Nevertheless, Cassano is still intent on staying at the club and credit to him if he wants to battle for playing time.

However, now 29 years old, this upcoming season is a big one for the former Roma prodigy. Not only because of his age but because next summer is the European Championships and in order to ensure his ticket he has to be playing regularly for Cesare Prandelli has made it clear that this has to be the case for any player wanting to be part of his plans.

Yet, unless Cassano sheds some kilos and is given the opporunites to put in some impressive displays Cassano’s chances of achieving something with the national team may fade before June next year. One suspects that if things are not going to plan midway through the season he will look at other options.

For now, however, it is best if Milan keep him on the books. He is a great player to be able to call upon to change a match given his ability to score and create goals. In addition, he seems settled more than ever before so he is not a burden on the team’s morale while we should remember also that he came for free.

A player who does not seem settled and whose career is starting to resemble that of Milan’s number 99 pre Milan is Mario Balotelli. He is still making the headlines for his misdemeanours rather than his football talent. After triggering another spat with Roberto Mancini during Manchester City’s tour of the USA there have been reports that he may leave the Eastlands this summer. Inevitably Milan have been linked again with his name.

This would not be a good move. Balotelli is more trouble than he is worth. Until the day he is able to control himself and focus on football, the club should steer clear of such a personality. Already the club has three potentially difficult characters on the books in Cassano, Ibrahimovic and Robinho. Thankfully, Allegri has proven to be a great man manager as all three seem settled at Milan. The addition of Balotelli, however, will surely tip the balance that exists in the team already. No to Mario.

Milan’s hunt for Mr. X continues and Galliani has said that the player, whoever it is, will not be announced until the end of August. While Pastore seems out of contention, Cesc Fabregas and Ganso remain possibilities though the former is but a very fine chance.

I would not be surprised, however, to see Kaka return on loan. The club would save on a transfer fee this way though the Brazilian’s wages are excessive. But, still, the club would not have to cough up money for his signature while Kaka would welcome a return to Milan given his troubles in the Spanish capital.

However, though it would be a great sight to see our former idol in the red and black again I cannot help but be reminded of Andriy Shevchenko. The Ukrainian, like Kaka, failed after his move from Milan and like it would be with Kaka, he returned on loan. However, Shevchenko was not a hit the second time round as it was clear he was past his best. The same could happen with Kaka. Yet, rather than no one I would prefer Kaka over Boateng as the team’s trequartista, even if it is not the Kaka of 2007.