Summer Signings Report Card: AC Milan

We all know how important summer signings are for today's top football teams. Be it a backup player or a marquee signing who will provide match-winning moments, it is a mad race out there for the players. So, how effective have these decision been? Let's recap and review the summer dealings of the "big" teams. I will rate each signing on a scale of A+ to F based on the expectations we had from them and how far have they lived up to it. To begin with, I'm picking the mighty Milanese outfit. Milan have endured a few disastrous seasons and everyone believed that a few shrewd summer signings can change things around.

1.Thiago Silva: The big Brazilian from Fluminense had signed earlier but could only start playing this season. Milan were truly struggling in the central defense position as there was no one decent enough to play alongside the ageing but still classy Nesta. Enter Silva, a no-nonsense big strong classic center back and Milan's problems decreased considerably. He is very effective in the air, a good marker and hardly has any concentration lapses. His speed is on the slower side, but for a league like Serie A it is more than enough. Silva's highlight of the season has been his penetrating forward runs which has unsettled many oppositions. A consistent player, he has contributed 2 goals to Milan's campaign this season.

Overall Grade: A- , effective but not spectacular.

2.Ignazio Abate: Not a true summer signing as he has been a Milan player since his early days, but was sent on loan time and again. His performance for Torino as a right winger earned him plaudits and Milan decided to give him a shot in the first team. But, due to Milan's tight and narrow formation, he had to be content sitting on the bench for most part of the early season. As Milan struggled with some stability at the right back position, Abate was drafted in and has since been solid if not excellent. He is now a regular at that position, but he is not a natural defender and is badly exposed if any side plays half-decent wingers.

Overall Grade: B- , not spectacular and only just about effective. If you don't need a winger, you don't sign one.

3.Oguchi Onyewu: Onye who? That was the reaction from most people when Milan signed this US international for a free transfer. Having spent a major part of his career with Standard Leige and a short loan spell with Newcastle, I think Milan signed him on the basis of his very successful Confederations Cup campaign with USA. He is tall and strong but has struggled for form with the Milan outfit. In his defense, he has not been given enough opportunities either with Bonera being preferred as the backup DC.

Overall Grade: C , not a bad player but not Milan quality either.

4.Klaas-Jan Huntelaar: A personal favorite, the "Hunter" was one of Europe's top marksmen before leaving Ajax. An inconsistent and dry spell with Madrid lowered his market value and he was sold to Milan for 15M euros. I thought well, at least now he will get more playing time and can shine once again. But that was not to happen. Huntelaar's not played enough and has lost his confidence. His goals still speak volumes about his class but they aren't as often as they should be. A return of only 6 goals in 21 appearances is dismal to say the least.

Overall Grade: B- , right thinking as Milan needed a striker like him but he's been a flop.