AC Milan: Looking to the Summer, What Could Next Year's Team Look Like?

Here in mid-April, we are already starting to hear the big rumors about the summer.

I decided to get a little bit ahead of ourselves and look to next year.

Some rumors are starting to develop into more than that and we can start to speculate about who will be wearing red and black for the 2011-12 campaign.

This is merely conjecture at the moment. It is something I have just been thinking about and I will probably be updating this in the future, but this is my projected full strength lineup for next season AT THE MOMENT.

I would love to see Milan go out and get a young, well regarded keeper such as Hugo Lloris or Mark Stekelenburg, but Abbiati is a more than capable goalkeeper who has had in my opinion a season worthy of being Serie A's goalkeeper of the year. Time after time, the Italian has sprung out of nowhere to make crucial saves and its fair to say that he is a big reason for Milan's place in the standings.

Look for the soon to be 34-year old to potentially stay in net next season. Like I said, however, Milan should consider going after a younger keeper.

Taiwo has announced that he will not be returning to Olympique Marseille next season and says that he already knows where he wants to play. Minor details need to be worked out with that team, but he feels its done.

Reports say that team is AC Milan, who are very interested in the 25-year old Nigerian. Luca Antonini has not been nearly the same player he was last year at left back and Taiwo would be an excellent alternative. Bringing in Taiwo on a free transfer, which is what would happen, could open up the opportunity for Milan to shop Antonini and come away big winners in the deal.

Taiwo would strengthen Milan's defense, which has been very flexible this season and prone to getting beat. Fullback has been the primary concern and the World Cup star can fix that.

Abate has played much better at right back than he did last season. I am actually impressed with his performance this season.

I do not see a scenario where Abate is booted out of his position in the XI and it looks like he is the right back for years to come at Milan.

The problem has really been finding someone to line up across the field from the 24-year old and if Taiwo comes in on a free transfer, that could solve the issue.

This one is quite obvious.

Silva is in his second season with Milan and proving to be the capable anchor for the defense the club was looking for after the retirement of his predecessor, Paolo Maldini.

He had some big shoes to fill replacing arguably the greatest defender of all time, but the 26-year old Brazilian has been fantastic and established himself among the greatest center backs of the game today.

I know that Milan captaincy goes by seniority, but I would love to see the club give him the armband. He is one of the most important people at the Milanello. He is a catalyst for the Rossoneri, the anchor on defense, and always one of the hardest working players. He will one day captain this club, but it should be sooner rather than later.

Like Taiwo, Mexes has already told his club, Roma, that he will not be back next season. The Frenchman fully expects to be playing for AC Milan next season.

There is a bit of a setback now, as Mexes injured his ACL in last weekend's derby against Juventus. This could affect his future as a Milan center back, but the keyword there is "could." He has six months to recover and get back on the field.

The arrival of a center back with Mexes' caliber is crucial. Alessandro Nesta has said that he has one more season in him, but I would not expect Nesta to be going full 90 every game next season. Even this year, you can tell that the Italian is not himself, or as strong as he was in the past.

Expect Mexes to be at Milan next season. How long until we see him on the field? Who knows, but he will be a Diavolo and a starter when healthy.

Milan have an abundance of midfielders, especially defensive minded midfielders with the likes of Gennaro Gattuso and Mark Van Bommel. However, I think Flamini should be the starter over the two veterans.

A veteran himself, Flamini is a very energetic midfielder, which is something Milan sometimes seem to lack. The Frenchman works hard through the final whistle and is never afraid to get dirty, or to get his name written in the book.

If he can stay off the physio's table and avoid suspension through stupid mistakes, Flamini could have a great season in 2011-12 for the Rossoneri.

Milan will certainly purchase the Ghanaian outright from Genoa in the summer after last summer's strange sale/loan between Portsmouth, Genoa, and Milan.

The 24-year old provides more youth for Milan, who should really be looking to go younger, especially in the midfield. He has not started many games, but the midfielder has 3 goals in 18 games in Serie A and is definitely the most underrated move of the summer.

Much of the attention was paid to the purchase of Robinho and the loan, soon to be purchase of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The most anyone gave Boateng's move was a "wow, that's a weird way to get a player. Maybe he'll be okay." He has been more than okay. His fiery, always ready to go attitude has been a bright light for the Rossoneri this season.

Milan should be looking to restructure the entire midfield by trying to go young as they pursue several trophies next season. They are learning that age and experience will not always help, especially in the Champions League against a club like Tottenham. Boateng could be a big part of the future of the Milan midfield.

Rumors are swirling about a potential move for the 27-year old Dutchman to the San Siro and they may be heating up.

The midfielder with the vicious left foot has apparently asked his good friend Mark Van Bommel to put in a good word for him with the Milan directors. Reports reveal that Robben would like to move to Milan if Bayern fail to reach the Champions League.

That almost sounds weird right? Bayern Munich missing the Champions Leage?

It looks like that may happen. Borussia Dortmund are running away with the Bundesliga tailed by Bayer Leverkusen. With Bayern's recent draw at Nurnberg, Hannover were able to overtake them for third place, which is the only Champions League Qualifying Rounds spot available. Leverkusen and Dortmund have basically guaranteed involvement in next season's Group Stage.

Things got worse for Bayern Munich on Saturday when they fired manager Louis van Gaal. With the direction of the club uncertain and apparently the season considered over, Robben may want out.

Milan would certainly welcome Robben, especially if he comes at a reasonable price. He has only played 11 games for Bayern this season after missing several months due to injury, yet he is the second leading scorer with nine goals.

Robben wants to be playing top class football with a top class team. A move to Milan is not unrealistic.

Cassano has finally found a home!

The largely infamous forward known for his bad attitude and poor relationships with teammates and club officials knew that when he joined Milan in January that this was it. This was his last chance to prove he was more than what he had shown in the past.

In that regard, Cassano has passed with flying colors.

No rows with teammates. He seems happier than ever. This is what Cassano fans were hoping for when he arrived at the Milanello.

The Italian has appeared 13 times in Serie A for his new club and has produced three goals and five assists and has proved to have potential at the trequartista position.

He is enjoying his football and I see no reason for him not to fill the center forward role full time next season. The only way is if Milan go out and get Ganso, which could be an issue if Adriano Galliani is not prepared to empty the savings.

The greatest weapon for Milan is their abundance of world class strikers.

With Cassano, Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Robinho all available up top, there will certainly be a rotation of starters.

The biggest question will probably be can Pato and Ibrahimovic play together?

It has happened before, but Milan have only captured 22 of a possible 45 points in those instances.

There has always been the idea that they can all play together, as they tried at Cesena. We all know what happened that night.

Two strikers with a trequartista appears to be the best formation for Allegri and Milan, meaning a rotation will happen. Every star will see the field regularly and you can expect a lot of goals from Milan next year.