Does Milan have a striker crisis once again?

After the departure of Shevchenko, Milan found themselves in a crisis at the start of last season. They were two strikers short (due to Shevchenko and Amoruso leaving) and they only had a few days left before the transfer window closed. The calciopoli investigations certainly threw Milan off course on their signings, and a big star striker was not delivered by Galliani and Braida.

They brought in Marco Borriello who was previously on loan at Sampdoria and Treviso the season before, as a 4th choice striker. The youngster keen on making an impression in Serie A after his fine display in preseason games.

Milan continued to try and look for some one new, however, their bids failed as they tried to lure Henry, Sorbis, and Ibrahimovic, the latter choosing a move to the blue and black side of Milan. Their last hope and only hope rested in the Brazil. Where there was a forward that was trying to refind his form that saw him move to Spain. Ricardo Oliviera, had suffered from injuries, that had inhibited him from playing football for months, it saw him in a year make only nine appearances and score only four goals.

As he fought desperately to try find his form, and find a team to play for, Milan were looking desperately for a striker. It almost seemed that the two were destined for each other. Milan made the move, and as they say; desperate times call for desperate measures, they paid €12 million for him plus they gave Joann Vogel to Betis Sevilla (the club that owned him). Oliviera arrived in Milanello a few days later after he had passed his medical, and he started training straight away.

Oliviera was brought in as Shevchenko's replacement, something that is almost an impossible task for even the best striker, let alone someone who has hardly featured in any games over the last two seasons. Nevertheless, it was a dream start for Oli, as he stepped out onto the San Siro field against Lazio ,on the first day of the new season, which saw him score the winning goal for Milan on his debut.

The fans were excited, as that was not only a dream start for Oli, but for them too. Shevchenko's goals had started to become a distant memory for the San Siro crowd. However, time moved on and Milan were struck with injuries, defensive problems, lack of confidence and their strikers were battling to find the back of the net. Oli like the rest of the forwards failed to produce.

Alberto Gilardino, also struggled as he suffered from low confidence, and a few injuries too. The wonder boy from Biella received much criticism which saw him net his first goal of the season, two months into the Serie A campaign. The striker shortage certainly started to look like an ever increasing problem.

Not even SuperPippo was able to save the games for Milan, he too, like the rest could not find the back of the net. He also suffered from a series of injuries that saw him miss many games. The once immense goal poacher had diminished.

Milan, last season were one of the strongest Italian teams offensively had started to become one of the worst. And it left the fans ruing Shevchenko's unfaithfulness, and Milan's management's inability to sign players.

The question remains, will Milan be in a striker crisis again this season?

Yes, Milan have Ronaldo, who has been great and has lifted the extra pressure off the likes of Gila and Pippo. But is it enough for the rossoneri? Milan currently have Ronaldo, Alberto Gilardino, Pippo Inzaghi, Ricardo Oliviera and Marco Borriello occupying the strikers positions.

If Carlo is going to rely on Ronaldo and Inzaghi to lead Milan's attack next season there will be huge problems, as both players are still injury prone. That leaves it to Gilardino, who is a great forward, and can easily perform as a lone striker provided he gets the right amount of service. We have already seen him perform well along side Ronaldo, but his goals in Europe have been a bit of a drought for him. These three forwards are fully capable of delivering the goods, when need be.

But managent needs to take a look at Marco Borriello and Ricardo Oliviera. Both have potential, but have struggled to handle the demands of a big club, so far rumours have suggested that Oliveira is most likely staying with the rossoneri, while there has only been one strong rumour about Borriello, that has since been diminished. Should Milan management do something about them?

Milan have a huge season ahead and they will not only need depth to their squad they will need depth that will work. They need forwards that can come on and know that they can contribute. With the Champions League, the European Super Cup, the Club World Cup plus league games, it will be a demanding season for all, especially for the forwards that will be expected to deliver.

With two injury prone forwards, two forwards that haven't quite delivered but have potential -who knows, how long it will take for that potential to come through- and one forward who is lacking a bit of confidence. Milan look like they could have another problem on their hands.


Rumours of Eto'o, Drogba, Ronaldino, Henry and a possible return of Shevchenko too have been in the rumour mill. But will any of these transfers happen. Eto'o just yesterday shut down all rumours of a possible departure from the Camp Nou. Ronaldinho is forever a confusing rumour to deal with, while Henry and Drogba have expressed they are flattered by the offer but no one is quite sure of what might happen.

If these rumours don't turn out to be true, Milan need to start looking some where else for more depth, otherwise they will be stuck with yet again a season of missed chances, lack of goals and the haunted cross-bar.