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AC Milan - Milanfan.com _ Past Players _ El Shaarawy
Posted by: KillerMax Jul 24 2011, 03:06 PM
Discuss our new player here.
Posted by: KillerMax Jul 24 2011, 03:19 PM
I personally didn't know anything about him as a player until some weeks ago. Correct me if I am wrong, but he has been our most expensive purchase so far, right? If someone can fill us in with the details of his transfer in this thread, I'd appreciate it.
Watch this:
http://youtu.be/WeAA2dOoBT0
He looks fast and with good composure in front of the goal. He has a similar way of placing shots like Kaka. I am personally looking forward to what he can do for us. What I personally like about him from what I saw in that video is that he doesn't look a timid player and that quality really counts in a big team like Milan.
Posted by: acid911 Jul 24 2011, 04:28 PM
Awesome music, even though I have heard it 20,000 times before. 
Pure sound!
Technically, if this guy clicks, I can somewhat agree with Galliani and Allegri that we are complete and set as a team and don't need anyone else. 
Granted, less said about the current state of the midfield the better, but like I said, this is if (a very big, if at that) El Shaarawy clicks. It's a big test in a player's first year, not many have passed it.
Posted by: KillerMax Jul 30 2011, 07:06 PM
El Shaarawy injury mystery
The Rossoneri fly out to Beijing for the clash with Inter on August 6 and El Shaarawy was hoping to make his official debut.
“He had only one training session at Milanello and then had to stop,” explained Coach Massimiliano Allegri.
“Unfortunately, he won’t be coming to Beijing. Flamini won’t be there either, which is a shame, as he was one of the players in best shape.
“We have to calmly evaluate Inzaghi’s situation, while Mexes is certainly out. We’ll have the defender back at the end of September.”
The others have long-term injury issues, while Flamini picked up a muscular problem last week.
El Shaarawy was one of the big signings of the summer from Genoa and much was expected of ‘The Little Pharaoh,’ but he is yet to play in the Rossoneri jersey.
The Corriere dello Sport suggests the teenager is suffering from a knee inflammation, but information is scarce.
Football Italia
Awesome. Another player with "mysterious" injuries in Milan.
Posted by: X-Offender Jul 30 2011, 07:08 PM
Why exactly is it mysterious? He had one training session and got injured, where's the mystery in that?
Posted by: KillerMax Jul 30 2011, 07:18 PM
This:
"The Corriere dello Sport suggests the teenager is suffering from a knee inflammation, but information is scarce."
Posted by: Leandro Akoni Aug 1 2011, 03:03 AM
That's odd and mysterious. Get quite puzzled.
Posted by: Dracoris Aug 1 2011, 04:17 AM
Anyone other than the bot know how to properly pronounce his name? I feel like I get it wrong ever time I read it, haha.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 1 2011, 08:20 AM
El-Sha-how're-ree
Posted by: Dracoris Aug 1 2011, 05:40 PM
Thank you kind sir!
Posted by: Johnny W. Aug 1 2011, 07:22 PM
Actually, it's pronounced
El Sha-Ra-Wee
Posted by: acid911 Aug 1 2011, 07:31 PM
El Sha-Ra-Wee
Yup. And I've also heard it pronounced "Al Sha Ar Way".
Oh, and welcome by the way, Johnny. Boy, you took your time to make your first post. Anyway, enjoy your time here in the forums, man!
Posted by: Johnny W. Aug 1 2011, 10:20 PM
Oh, and welcome by the way, Johnny. Boy, you took your time to make your first post. Anyway, enjoy your time here in the forums, man!Haha, I'm usually just a forum lurker.
Thanks for the welcome!
Posted by: acid911 Aug 1 2011, 10:38 PM
Thanks for the welcome!
Anytime, man. Cheers!
And oh, lurkers are our customers too, LOL. A lot of Milan fans just sign up and take a look from outside the window. Anyway, hope to see more of you around, whenever you can spare some time and are in the mood to post. More customers (meaning AC Milan fans) we have, the better.
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 11 2011, 03:06 AM
El Sharaawy's agent said that his asset is not taking part in any games lately because the Milan athletic stuff is trying to make him stronger physically by increasing his muscular mass. He also said that El Sharaawy will stay with us for sure.
http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idtmw=287489
I hope that clarifies things.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Aug 11 2011, 05:56 AM
http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idtmw=287489
I hope that clarifies things.
Hopefully he doesn't get injured as often as Pato does due to a sudden increase in muscle mass.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 11 2011, 05:59 AM
http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/milan/?action=read&idtmw=287489
I hope that clarifies things.
i thiink they should go through this with all the Primavera players. Verdi especially!
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Aug 11 2011, 08:07 AM
They do growth program for all our scrawny players ... Pato did some as did Kaka when they both respectively arrived.
Problem is, it has lead to players getting frequent injuries, I hope he doesn't suffer the same fate.
Posted by: dst Aug 11 2011, 09:59 AM
oh so we've been feeding him pills, good to know.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Aug 11 2011, 01:39 PM
well i doubt we left El Sharaawy on Joe Rogan's doorstep...
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 16 2011, 06:21 PM
Alexandre Pato has been left impressed by the ability of Milan new boy Stephan El Shaarawy. “He’ll be a better player than me!”
The attacking midfielder, who will only turn 19 in October, joined the Rossoneri this summer from Genoa in a co-ownership deal.
“I really want to play alongside him,” the Brazilian told Milan Channel. “He’s a boy who will do better than me – I’m sure of that.”
Pato may get his wish this weekend as an injury crisis means that the club’s attacking options against Napoli are limited.
Boss Massimiliano Allegri can only count on Pato, Antonio Cassano and El Shaarawy for the San Paolo showdown.
El Shaarawy, an Italian Under-19 international whose father is Egyptian, has only appeared in three Serie A games during his career.
Pato isn't really good at predictions, but everyone says El's got potential. I can't wait to see him in action. if he doesn't get a few minutes while Ibra and Binho are out and Cassano looks awful, I don't know when he can.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 17 2011, 01:31 AM
Just noticed this kid's birthday is a day before mine (although just a couple years younger) 
Posted by: acid911 Sep 17 2011, 01:52 AM
Define couple.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 17 2011, 01:54 AM
Hahaha... well it certainly wasn't to be taken literal, but 4.
Posted by: acid911 Sep 17 2011, 02:20 AM
Cool.
You're quite young, truth be told, I had imagined you to be in your late 20s, really.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 21 2011, 01:14 AM
You're quite young, truth be told, I had imagined you to be in your late 20s, really.I'm that boring huh!
Anyways, here's a clip from training for you guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7SKRUxKF2Y
The kid's clearly got the skills, let's hope that he puts them to good use.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 21 2011, 01:28 AM
Hopefully tomorrow.
Posted by: acid911 Sep 21 2011, 01:34 AM
Boring is one word. Sensible is another.
Or maybe we can say mature. And how about sane and mindful. In short, you signed up a day before me, and I am yet to see you needlessly quarral or fight with anyone here. EPIC.A.M.E.N. He came across as quite raw in the last match, let's see what he does today!
Go Pharaoh!
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 21 2011, 01:36 AM
You haven't exactly quarreled with anyone either, now have you acid?
Posted by: acid911 Sep 21 2011, 01:43 AM
What does my avatar icon tell you? Smilies, all round, man, smilieis all round!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2011, 05:34 AM
acid is pu$$y.
*runs for the hills*
Posted by: acid911 Sep 21 2011, 06:10 AM
Nope. I like to think that everyone is fighting a hard enough war, a tough battle with life. I, on my part, should not be complicating it further by poking in. However, if a situation arises when I have to sleeve up and fight, or quarrel, argue with someone (for the right cause, not what I think it right, but what I know is right), then it's showtime!
It takes two to tango, but if I take care to not be one of it, then there is one less fight in this world. Besides, when to people are arguing on something, or fighting over a small thing, then truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Both aren't necesserily right, but both aren't wront either. Anyway, if you hjave no control your emotions, then well there is little difference between you and other life forms - namely animals.
Come back, Mr. Pirate, I won't hurt you (much). I promise!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2011, 07:18 AM
Phattoooo! (Not sure if that exists in the dialect you speak or if it's pure Indian slang)
Posted by: acid911 Sep 21 2011, 08:04 AM
I think it does, though not very sure of the meaning.
It could mean different here, and different in India.
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 22 2011, 06:47 PM
Anyone got a link of his goal? I couldn't catch the game last night...
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 22 2011, 06:59 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUC8-xRvPeE
Posted by: han2503 Sep 23 2011, 06:51 PM
Cassano has 3 assists in 3 games so far, even when he's cr@p he's brilliant
Posted by: William405 Oct 21 2011, 06:05 PM
Stephan El Shaarawy has committed his career to Milan just a matter of months after arriving from Genoa.
The youngster, who will turn 19 on October 27, joined the Rossoneri in the summer on a co-ownership deal.
“If I have to be honest, I want to stay at Milan forever rather than one day playing my football abroad,” he told Leggo.
“At the end of the day I have always had a weakness for Milan, ever since I was a little boy,” added the Italian Under-19 international.
The attacking midfielder, who has an Italian mother and an Egyptian father, has been used sparingly so far by boss Massimiliano Allegri.
“I want to convince Allegri that I am a first team player,” he added. “I hope to play and score as much as possible, that is my objective.
“I want this Milan chance. Even if I don’t play that often, at least I will still have the opportunity to train with champions.”
El Shaarawy made his debut in the 3-1 loss at Napoli, before scoring in the 1-1 with Udinese three days later.
I like this kid.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Oct 21 2011, 11:16 PM
Not to say he doesn't mean it, but we've heard it all before. Every fan has.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Nov 2 2011, 11:47 PM
With robinho back to his horrible finishing, pato hurt as well and Cassano's well documented medical problem, I do believe the time is now for El Sharaawy to prove his Market value of 20M in the upcoming games. Here's hoping he steps up and gets involved in our buildup.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Nov 8 2011, 07:10 PM
Shaarawy: "I see myself as a second striker, and so does Allegri. He helps me a lot and gives me plenty of advice."
So don't expect to see him as AM.
Posted by: X-Offender Nov 8 2011, 07:23 PM
So don't expect to see him as AM.
Found Cassano's replacement.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Jan 5 2012, 02:16 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltVodL-B2ZQ
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Jan 5 2012, 11:42 PM
Good display of confidence and skill.
Posted by: drucurl Jan 6 2012, 01:53 PM
How do you guys rate his pace....initially before he came to Milan the articles said that he had Kaka-like pace or playing style or something...can't remember. I'm not a good judge of speed so I thought I'd ask the good ppl of Milanfan.com
Posted by: milanbuf88 Jan 6 2012, 02:08 PM
I haven't seen him run in space too much but he definitely has a great first step.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 6 2012, 05:27 PM
Yeah, we haven't really seen him hit top gear, but he has a great touch as well as a decent shot from what I could see.
Posted by: William405 Jan 8 2012, 07:07 AM
Wow,he looked great in that video!Seems like our much needed AM solution,don't know why he would want to play as a second striker,as he would have to sit behind 4 great attackers.(probably 5)I'd play him over Emmanuelson any day,though,he looks destined for greatness ;D
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jan 9 2012, 06:19 PM
Sky Sport Italia claims that the German outfit are looking to take the former Padova attacker on a loan spell that will either last for six or 18 months.
The 19-year-old has found his path to the first team at San Siro blocked by the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robinho and Alexandre Pato, while the likely arrival of Carlos Tevez will push the teenager even further down the pecking order.
Meanwhile, Koln have found themselves reliant on Lukas Podolski for goals this season and coach Stale Solbakken is eager for another striker to ease the scoring burden on the Germany international.
El Shaarawy has scored one goal in seven Serie A appearances for Milan this season.
Posted by: William405 Jan 16 2012, 05:16 PM
The 19-year-old has been linked with a January exit given that he has made just eight League appearances since his summer switch from Genoa.
However, after appearing in last night’s 1-0 derby loss to Inter, the Italian youth international is prepared to be patient.
“A loan move did enter my thinking,” the attacking midfielder, who has an Egyptian father, commented.
“However, although I am not playing, I am improving by training alongside so many champions on a daily basis here.
“I’m being included in a lot of things and I am very happy at this club. I hope to stay here forever.”
The talented youngster, who spent last season on loan at Padova in Serie B, is actually part-owned by Genoa. He was linked with a Marassi return last week.
We need to integrate him into our system,he's soooo talented.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 16 2012, 05:23 PM
I'd start him next game. He showed more in the first 10 seconds he was on the pitch than Robinho/Pato/Ibra did all game.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 16 2012, 07:40 PM
He better at least start in the Coppa game next Wednesday!
Posted by: Zed.D Jan 16 2012, 11:48 PM
+1. you could see El's reaction after Robinho missed his assist. the kid's full of determination and he does have talent for sure. if I were Allegri, I'd play him. maybe not from the start but I'd give him more than 10 freakin' minutes. 
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jan 17 2012, 08:20 AM
el sha' should be seen as an AM option as well, surely if Boatang & Emanuelson can play Am, Stephan can definitively add a dimension to the position we haven't seen since Kaka'. Don't misquote me in saying "he is as good as kaka" but they do play very similarly, and with Ibra dropping back most of the time, we need more service to our forwards...
Posted by: han2503 Jan 17 2012, 09:09 AM
I get what you're saying and I completely agree with you.
If Urby is an AM in Allegri's eyes than everyone is. I still can't get over how stupid it is to play him there. Surely if a bunch of idiots like us can see it, than someone getting paid to do the job can see it as well...
But apparently not
Posted by: Zed.D Jan 19 2012, 12:40 PM
Just saw his goal, GOOD ONE!
Posted by: CHU-LIP Jan 19 2012, 12:49 PM
If Urby is an AM in Allegri's eyes than everyone is. I still can't get over how stupid it is to play him there. Surely if a bunch of idiots like us can see it, than someone getting paid to do the job can see it as well...
But apparently not
You just don't understand it / see it differently.
No reason to talk about stupidity and so.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 19 2012, 02:18 PM
No reason to talk about stupidity and so.
Lol, sorry chu, but from all of us you seem to be the only one that understands the stupidity, yes I'll say it again, complete and utter stupidity behind playing Urby in the attacking midfielder position.
Please enlighten us all because all of us seem to be missing something in that case as I haven't seen one member who understands this decision on Allegri's part, especially his insistance on it after it fails time after time
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jan 19 2012, 02:53 PM
@HAN: (and this is my understanding of the situation)
Urby is not being seen as the player who makes the final pass...which unfortunately is what we look for in a CAM. He is seen as a player who can move the ball and make interchanges very quickly in the final third. Basically act as a mobile conduit for our attacking orchestra comprising - our strikers and our mid-field runners.
Do I agree with it? No. Because this is a very one-dimensional approach to attack, and while it works swell with small teams, with top teams with top coaches who can change tactics in a snap just like us, we're begging to be shut down.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 19 2012, 03:15 PM
Urby is not being seen as the player who makes the final pass...which unfortunately is what we look for in a CAM. He is seen as a player who can move the ball and make interchanges very quickly in the final third. Basically act as a mobile conduit for our attacking orchestra comprising - our strikers and our mid-field runners.
Do I agree with it? No. Because this is a very one-dimensional approach to attack, and while it works swell with small teams, with top teams with top coaches who can change tactics in a snap just like us, we're begging to be shut down.
It doesn't work well with either jack. We struggled against Atalanta with it and made a mess against Inter as well. In the Coppa against Novara we made a meal out of what should have been an easy win
The reality is that Urby has been nothing short of terrible in that position, and imo the guy is being made to look bad because he's not adapt to playing in such a position, if he's given a chance to play in midfield I think he can do very well as he's shown us some glimpses of what he can do but he's simply ristricted to playing terribly in a position he just cannot handle.
What's ironic is the fact that when Allegri wants to insist on something he's hard headed, even if it just does not work. Yet on other occasions, like giving certain players a decent chance to prove themselves he just does not allow it.
Posted by: CHU-LIP Jan 19 2012, 03:43 PM
Please enlighten us all because all of us seem to be missing something in that case as I haven't seen one member who understands this decision on Allegri's part, especially his insistance on it after it fails time after time
I think I am able to see things from different ways better than some other people. So I try to look it both at your way and Allegri's. Since I don't have to explain your way to you, I will try to do Allegri's. I think something like this:
About Emanuelson: he actually plays well in a consistent way, which I didn't expect him to be able to when we signed him. Obviously he has grown as player since his arrival here. A plus about him is that he is very hardworking, which is an important fixture for a midfielder. Reason to use Emanuelson as AM is he defends a lot. When you put a more attacking player like El Shaarawy, I guess that will happen less. Now, I have never seen El Shaarawy as AM. So far he has only played as forward for Milan (I heard he played as AM for a Serie B side, but unless I actually saw him doing that myself, I cannot use that since it's different from being Milan's AM in Serie A and CL than in Serie B ), which he obvious can do well. I do wonder what he offers as AM, but I can't say he will be the right choice for that, I mean: on what can I base that? So I wonder: why doesn't Allegri use him as AM?
I assume Allegri doesn't use him as AM, because he probably will track back/defend less than Boateng and Emanuelson. It seems to me he wants an AM he can trust especially in the defending aspect of the game. For a forward Robinho works very hard and tracks back a lot, so he gets to play there sometimes too. I guess Robinho does that better than El Shaarawy, even though I never seen him play as AM, so I wouldn't know, but I try to understand Allegri's decisions. I do like to see El Shaarawy as AM, so I can judge myself. So far I know El Shaarawy at least is a very good young forward. He clearly has a future as an forward. And as AM? Idunno/can't judge. He does have at least some nice attributes for it, so I guess he could become a good AM also, but I simply don't know. And maybe you guys are right he would be better AM than Emanuelson because of all the quality/skills El Shaarawy got (much more than Emanuelson). It could be because Milan's midfield is weak (in both defensive way and possession way) that he chose the safer (more defending) Emanuelson?
And obviously, Emanuelson is not a typical AM, and it has downsides to play him there. Though he really gives his all every minute, which is good, he simply is nothing more than an average player. Clearly Milan still has no proper typical AM, or it's the poor midfield why so no El Shaarawy, which is a shame.
Posted by: William405 Jan 19 2012, 06:03 PM
Emmanuelson gives his all?the guy plays without heart (when on the ball at least) imo.
And,expecting a lot of defending from an AM mid is wrong anyway,attacking is the best way to defend and to avoid pressure.AM shouldn't have to defend a lot.
Posted by: CHU-LIP Jan 19 2012, 06:13 PM
And,expecting a lot of defending from an AM mid is wrong anyway,attacking is the best way to defend and to avoid pressure.AM shouldn't have to defend a lot.
If you don't have enough midfielders defending, it will end up going badly. And with our poor midfielders, I think we need the AM to support the other midfielders and defenders in defending.
Leonardo had a very attacking Milan. There were too many players who didn't defend or at least not enough. As a result we were humilated over and over again against good sides.
If you demand only to attack from your AM and forwards, it looks nice against poor sides, but you get humilated against a good one. And we simply don't have the midfielders to have an AM who won't defend. Van Bommel gets very little support from his fellow midfielders when it comes to conquering the ball back, and then you got a problem. Because then it are the opponents who attack, and you with your attacking skilled players can look at them scoring goals. Yay!
Posted by: han2503 Jan 19 2012, 07:53 PM
About Emanuelson: he actually plays well in a consistent way, which I didn't expect him to be able to when we signed him. Obviously he has grown as player since his arrival here. A plus about him is that he is very hardworking, which is an important fixture for a midfielder. Reason to use Emanuelson as AM is he defends a lot. When you put a more attacking player like El Shaarawy, I guess that will happen less. Now, I have never seen El Shaarawy as AM. So far he has only played as forward for Milan (I heard he played as AM for a Serie B side, but unless I actually saw him doing that myself, I cannot use that since it's different from being Milan's AM in Serie A and CL than in Serie B ), which he obvious can do well. I do wonder what he offers as AM, but I can't say he will be the right choice for that, I mean: on what can I base that? So I wonder: why doesn't Allegri use him as AM?
I assume Allegri doesn't use him as AM, because he probably will track back/defend less than Boateng and Emanuelson. It seems to me he wants an AM he can trust especially in the defending aspect of the game. For a forward Robinho works very hard and tracks back a lot, so he gets to play there sometimes too. I guess Robinho does that better than El Shaarawy, even though I never seen him play as AM, so I wouldn't know, but I try to understand Allegri's decisions. I do like to see El Shaarawy as AM, so I can judge myself. So far I know El Shaarawy at least is a very good young forward. He clearly has a future as an forward. And as AM? Idunno/can't judge. He does have at least some nice attributes for it, so I guess he could become a good AM also, but I simply don't know. And maybe you guys are right he would be better AM than Emanuelson because of all the quality/skills El Shaarawy got (much more than Emanuelson). It could be because Milan's midfield is weak (in both defensive way and possession way) that he chose the safer (more defending) Emanuelson?
And obviously, Emanuelson is not a typical AM, and it has downsides to play him there. Though he really gives his all every minute, which is good, he simply is nothing more than an average player. Clearly Milan still has no proper typical AM, or it's the poor midfield why so no El Shaarawy, which is a shame.
Imo, he has none of the attributes required to play such a position, and I don't see our midfield as weak. We already deploy 2 DMs, 1 more than any other top side. That is more than enough, expecting the AM to also be some sort of runner/battler is just ridiculous and a bad small team mentality. You know, "better you run you @ss off and avoid defeat rather than trying to win"
El Shaaraw, Robinho, etc. All are better AM options than Urby, Robinho works his @ss off far more than Urby. He's not even a striker, Allegri classifies him as such and imo, we need to keep him as far away from goal as possible. He's always beena cross between a winger and second striker, his best season was under Capello when he played him out wide on the left at Real. Simply because he removed that pressure of scoring, plus Robinho's runs are just integral to the attack. Last season his best spell came when he was used behind the strikers. El Shaa as well could have huge potential playing in the hole. Yet Allegri insists on a player who just last season was playing at LB/LW for Ajax, it's just laughable. And no matter what you say, you won't be able to justify it to anyone here, as everyone can see that Urby simply offers nothing for us in that position, he's a passenger for most of the game when he's played there
Leonardo had a very attacking Milan. There were too many players who didn't defend or at least not enough. As a result we were humilated over and over again against good sides.
If you demand only to attack from your AM and forwards, it looks nice against poor sides, but you get humilated against a good one. And we simply don't have the midfielders to have an AM who won't defend. Van Bommel gets very little support from his fellow midfielders when it comes to conquering the ball back, and then you got a problem. Because then it are the opponents who attack, and you with your attacking skilled players can look at them scoring goals. Yay!
You simply cannot make comparisons to Leo's Milan. That was an unbalanced, un-co-ordinated mess. Leo played a 4-3-3, with only Ambro covering the defence and Seedorf and Pirlo in midfield. That might have been ok in the Carlo days but 2 seasons ago, that was a big no no as none of those players could keep up with such demands a formation like that put upon them. Even worse, he played Pato and Dinho on the wings, neither of which are renowned hard workers.
On the other hand under Allegri we play with 2 DMs, one of which is VB, who reads the game far better than Ambro and than Nocerino who provides a lot of energy to the midfield. Add to that we play 4 in midfield, whether that Robinho/Urby/Prince or whoever else Allegri might decide to play there on any given day, it's still a 4 man midfield, we never play with 3 attackers, simply because whoever plays at AM is asked to hold his position and keep the midfield compact. This is why I always insist with you that whether the player has 'ST' next to his name like Robinho it just does not matter as his job decription becomes what Allegri requires of him when he's played in the hole
Posted by: KillerMax Jan 20 2012, 03:35 AM
Stephan El Shaarawy is my new favorite player. I look forward to seeing a lot more from him.
Posted by: Danny Jan 27 2012, 05:04 PM
I liked him a lot last night. His touch for the opening goal was brilliant, and while it sorta deflected through, his through ball for the second was visionary.
He has a big chance to make it - definitely has the talent.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Jan 27 2012, 06:08 PM
Important he keeps his head on his shoulders. We ought to wrap him up in cotton wool.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 27 2012, 06:15 PM
Hopefully they don't ruin him like they've ruined Pato. They've already put him through one round of strength training. I just don't trust our medical team.
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl Jan 27 2012, 10:23 PM
http://football-italia.net/node/15082
nice
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Feb 19 2012, 01:41 AM
There ain't nothing wrong with being a mama's boy 
Posted by: William405 Feb 25 2012, 04:18 PM
Sharaawy might get a called up to the senior italian national team,since he wasn't called up for the U21
Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 13 2012, 12:14 AM
http://youtu.be/87T87zn6DJk
Posted by: Jack Bauer Mar 21 2012, 04:52 AM
In NBA there's a term - 'rookie wall'. Meaning that after a hot start, a young player might experience some difficulties. I think El Sha hitting the rookie wall right now.
Posted by: acid911 Mar 21 2012, 04:58 AM
Well he did score in the last Coppa match, against Juventus. And besides, like they say, you don't get to the top by succeeding. You need to fail, too. And the more spectacularly the better. Failure is the new success! I still have big hopes for this guy, he needs to play every now and then, and find his way.
Posted by: amancik Mar 21 2012, 07:32 AM
And besides, like they say, you don't get to the top by succeeding. You need to fail, too. And the more spectacularly the better. Failure is the new success! I still have big hopes for this guy, he needs to play every now and then, and find his way.I agree that he's experiencing some difficulties, but it's not like he's been entirely useless in recent matches. It's just that the intensity of balancing UEFA CL, Serie A and Coppa Italia are too much for a young kid. But the fact that's he's been playing from the start shows that Allegri has faith that he will be somebody huge in the future.
Posted by: acid911 Mar 21 2012, 08:49 AM
Very true.
He's perhaps the only real speedy player we have, apart from Pato. Then again, it's been a while since I've seen the duck really take off with speed. It would be great having Pato and El Shaarawy starting together and ripping defenses apart.
Posted by: William405 Mar 21 2012, 08:56 AM
He's still a youngster so having an impact on the game will not be easy,but he's surrounded by champions and he has great potential,sounds like a winning formula.
Posted by: acid911 Mar 21 2012, 09:01 AM
Yes, and it's been a while since we've had a teenager starting matches. All the best to him!
Posted by: Zed.D Mar 21 2012, 10:45 AM
Not totally unexpected.
I think some people were a little too quick to get excited after a handful of great performances from the kid and jump on the "Pato who, we got El Sha!" bandwagon. not defending Pato who's been a total mess recently, but he did much better and was much more exciting when he was 19 (he just couldn't pass the ball properly and still can't!). it'll be a matter of time before some of the supposed fans of El Sha will turn against him if he continues having this disappointing form.
That said, I like El Sha as much as anyone else here and would love for him to become the next big thing for us. technically he has what it takes to become that, he just needs to learn from every single mistake he makes (so far he hasn't but you can't expect everyone to learn as fast as Messi).
Posted by: drucurl Mar 21 2012, 03:02 PM
I think some people were a little too quick to get excited after a handful of great performances from the kid and jump on the "Pato who, we got El Sha!" bandwagon. not defending Pato who's been a total mess recently, but he did much better and was much more exciting when he was 19 (he just couldn't pass the ball properly and still can't!). it'll be a matter of time before some of the supposed fans of El Sha will turn against him if he continues having this disappointing form.
That said, I like El Sha as much as anyone else here and would love for him to become the next big thing for us. technically he has what it takes to become that, he just needs to learn from every single mistake he makes (so far he hasn't but you can't expect everyone to learn as fast as Messi).
TOTALLY agreed. The kid is good but NOWHERE in Pato's class. That's not to say that he wouldn't surpass him because of the injury and possible differences in mentatlity.
That said a totally fit and focused Pato has only the sky as the limit.
El S ishaarawy is excellent but his tecnhique and touch isn't what the "old" Pato used to have anyway neither is he nearly as fast. He's not slow but he won't get past Ramos Evra, Cole, Alves etc on pace
Posted by: acid911 Mar 21 2012, 06:01 PM
Well I'm just glad we have a youngster coming through. Futile to compare him to Pato, just like it's no use comparing Strasser and Merkel to our established stars. Each kid will carve his own path, but nevertheless it's great to see some fresh, young, blood every now and then. Preferably with fast legs to go with it.
Posted by: Suhail 3 Mar 30 2012, 03:21 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs7ib1WXQNg
haha
Any akhi's (brothers) able to translate this my arabic isnt so good.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Apr 17 2012, 02:19 AM
Swide Interview with...
Stephan El Shaarawy: The Boy Pharaoh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQmatFvP1fE&hd=1
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Apr 17 2012, 09:47 PM
Stephan El Shaarawy: The Boy Pharaoh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQmatFvP1fE&hd=1
What is the secret of success?
-To remain humble regardless of how successful you are and to remain a good person regardless of your goals and ambitions.
-A champion is particulary in football terms, a real champion is some one who can stay humble, constant even if he wins everything.
Stephan El Shaarawy
Posted by: il_diavolo_mtl May 7 2012, 03:19 PM
Posted by: William405 Aug 7 2012, 02:29 PM
The ‘Little Pharaoh’ is going to be given more of a role at San Siro after Ibra was sold to PSG.
“I like Massimiliano Allegri, as he gives me space and says I need to improve, which is true,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Last year people said he didn’t have faith in me, but in the end I did make 28 appearances. I am satisfied with the opportunities I had. I could’ve scored more than four goals, but that’s fine and I know that I have to work as hard as possible.”
Ibrahimovic took on the teacher role of sorts for El Shaarawy, often spotted shouting at him during games.
“I know, he never wants anyone to make a mistake and at times was a little heavy-handed, but he was doing it to motivate me and keep me fired up. Besides, he did it with everyone, not just me.
“Let’s say Ibra was an important presence on the field and in the locker room... Nobody wants to even lose the training games between ranks here, as it’s a battle every day.
“We won many games without Ibrahimovic, you know. We are a team and not a bad one. We’ve got less quality without him and Thiago Silva, but there will be more responsibility on everyone’s shoulders and we can build here. I am optimistic.”
Milan have shown their interest in Kaka and should hold negotiations with Real Madrid over the next few days.
“I’d love to know Kaka and learn from him, as I’ve heard he is a great man. Naturally, he’s also an incredible player,” added El Shaarawy.
“Of my current teammates, I get on really well with Antonio Cassano, as he always sends you clear in front of goal. Robinho is technically very gifted, though he makes a few mistakes in front of goal.”
Finally, the Italian-Egyptian revealed why he keeps his trademark mohawk hairstyle.
“Ibra and Cassano threatened to cut it off a few times, but never got scissors in their hands. The girls really like it, so I keep it...”
Posted by: milanbuf88 Aug 7 2012, 02:46 PM
I really like his attitude in everything I've read from him. Seems to have a good head on his shoulders. I'm looking forward to him taking a big step forward this season.
Posted by: acid911 Aug 7 2012, 02:53 PM
Except his hairdo.
The girls really like it, he says? Somebody's feeding him the wrong intel.
Posted by: dst Aug 27 2012, 09:11 AM
In relative terms, he is the worst 15m youngster I've seen.
and the one with the worst haircut surely.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Aug 27 2012, 09:41 AM
I don't know what's wrong. It's been some time since we had a truly explosive young talent. And it's not coz we loan them out. Very few of the people we loaned out have ever come good, which leads me to believe that's why we let them go in the first place.
I mean Abate seems to be the best of a bad bunch, and that's not good news.
Posted by: han2503 Aug 27 2012, 10:46 AM
I think it would be waaay too premature to declare El Shaa as "bad" after we saw one game from him this season. I think it's too much pressure for him to be starting games and expecting to be performaing like Zlatan FFS. The team has no leaders in it, it's not an ideal situation for him to thrive in
Posted by: X-Offender Aug 27 2012, 11:24 AM
We should have never let Merkel go. Now that's what I call a prospect.
Posted by: CHU-LIP Aug 27 2012, 12:57 PM
Oh... I would be pissed if we co-own him someday... I can't wait to see Merkel in a few years
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Aug 27 2012, 05:00 PM
Agreed. Yet, I cannot but forget his half-blooded performances last year as well. What seems to be lacking is extra motivation and energy.
Posted by: dst Aug 28 2012, 01:21 PM
I never said he's bad. But he's the least good of the omg-we-paid-all-that-money-for-a-teenager club.
Posted by: amancik Aug 28 2012, 01:25 PM
I don't recall we having done that before except Pato.
Posted by: dst Aug 28 2012, 01:45 PM
I did not mean just for Milan.
Posted by: amancik Aug 28 2012, 01:50 PM
Right my bad. But you got a good point there.
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 4 2012, 02:46 PM
By Football Italia staff
Milan forward Stephan El Shaarawy has revealed some of the ways to survive in the Rossoneri dressing room alongside some of his more illustrious teammates.
In an upcoming interview to be published on Thursday, the 19-year-old tells of his fear of former Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, his hair and girls' new found attention in him.
“It’s difficult to be appreciated by him, but I felt worse. The secret is to pass him the ball, or he starts to growl. You need to know how to relate to him. Otherwise he plays tricks on you.
“When Rino Gattuso noticed I used to shave my eyebrow he started to kick my *** and said 'you only must think to play, you understand?'
“I was asked to cut my hair as soon as I arrived at Milanello. Someone also asked me in the dressing room, but one of my teammates defended me and said, 'if Hamsik, Neymar and Cisse can have it, why can’t he' in front of everyone. Then the debate was closed.”
The former Genoa player also spoke of the pressures of professional football. “I thought it was easy to not fall for the things surrounding fame, instead it is hard. When you see football players everybody thinks - how can they be so arrogant? I thought about it a thousand times.
“Then fans find us and ask for photos and autographs and you feel pumped up, even if you don’t want to. You arrive in Serie A and instantly the attention is multiplied around you. Luckily my father helps keep my feet on the ground.”
Brief but interesting interview.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 4 2012, 03:32 PM
Yeah..the cut my hair comment was a bit disturbing. Someone actually spoke up against a senior player then? ****..I miss Paolo...
Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 4 2012, 03:40 PM
You found it disturbing that some one spoke up against a senior player? What a joke. I find it disturbing that some one demanded it of him. They're all adults and can do what ever they damn well please with their hair.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 4 2012, 04:18 PM
He really should get rid of that ridiculous haircut.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 4 2012, 04:31 PM
Then you've read the entire interview, where among other things he also says he has 10 times as much sex and picks up all his girls on FB?
I don't think the issue here was with the haircut or the eyebrows. I think the issue here is the boy is focusing on the wrong stuff. And when the seniors brought it up, they argument was downright weird. If it was a hazing, you shouldn't interfere.
Cisse does it so it's okay?? Don't think that's the kind of footballer a young and upcoming kid wants to be like.
What if it was SAF? He's banned all his young players from driving Corvettees despite the sponsorship. Is he being ridiculous since they're all old enough to drive?
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 4 2012, 05:07 PM
I don't think the issue here was with the haircut or the eyebrows. I think the issue here is the boy is focusing on the wrong stuff. And when the seniors brought it up, they argument was downright weird. If it was a hazing, you shouldn't interfere.
Cisse does it so it's okay?? Don't think that's the kind of footballer a young and upcoming kid wants to be like.
What if it was SAF? He's banned all his young players from driving Corvettees despite the sponsorship. Is he being ridiculous since they're all old enough to drive?
Does any of it really matter? If the kid acts as a professional during training and everything else related to his job, then whatever he does with his personal life shouldn't be of any concern to anyone.
Posted by: milanbuf88 Sep 4 2012, 06:46 PM
I don't think the issue here was with the haircut or the eyebrows. I think the issue here is the boy is focusing on the wrong stuff. And when the seniors brought it up, they argument was downright weird. If it was a hazing, you shouldn't interfere.
Cisse does it so it's okay?? Don't think that's the kind of footballer a young and upcoming kid wants to be like.
What if it was SAF? He's banned all his young players from driving Corvettees despite the sponsorship. Is he being ridiculous since they're all old enough to drive?
Where is this "full interview?" All football italia has is what Zed posted. If the seniors were mentioning that he needs to stop going out and concentrate on his game then that's one thing but by the context of what Zed posted it seems like they were commenting on his hair. If it was about his hair then he is fully within his rights to tell them to piss off. We may think it looks ridiculous but he's just being himself. I do thing SAF is being ridiculous "banning" behavior but because of his stature he gets away with it. Young players should definitely be counseled on the potential pitfalls of celebrity but banning things doesn't teach them. Like X said, as long as he shows up to practice on time, acts like a professional and tries to improve his game I don't think it matters.
Posted by: servbot Sep 4 2012, 07:15 PM
+1
As long as he is keeping his commitment to the club, he should live it up any way he can. Life is short, enjoy it to the maximum!
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 4 2012, 09:08 PM
I didn't see it was football-italia. There is a longer version on goal I think. Also quoting the same source.
Well there's a point of difference I see. Live life to the maximum and all that. Next thing I know Boateng is injured from having too much sex??! I've never heard of any of our past dream team people having that problem.
You can show up on time and go through the motions and fulfill the terms of your contract. That doesn't equate to giving it your all.
Rino talks about him coming an hour early to get a workout in the gym, while other players sauntered in 20 minutes before time.
You might think this is being boring and old-hat and conservative, but I think perhaps, this extra dedication is what kept the likes of Maldini and Seedorf on their feet through a season while this new lot fall like flies.
P.S: NOT SAYING SeS IS A PARTY ANIMAL OR DOES NOT TRAIN OR LOSE FOCUS...just that if he can give an extra 30 or 40% he ought to. Now is the time or else he risks being another one of those hundreds of journeymen footballers who once showed great promise.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 4 2012, 09:17 PM
That was just an insinuation made by his girlfriend. I doubt it had anything to do with his injuries.
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 4 2012, 09:20 PM
He's still a teenager, it's hard not to care about your appearance at that age. and not everyone's like Pato who looks like Robinson Crusoe all the time...
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 4 2012, 09:30 PM
True dat.
Posted by: arivanjj Sep 5 2012, 12:32 AM
picking up women on facebook?
why does he feel the need to share that?
Posted by: dst Sep 5 2012, 02:06 AM
why does he feel the need to share that?
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 5 2012, 03:54 AM
I think the Yankee way is best. Every player has to be professional looking as they are representing an organisation. So long as El Sha is under contract, he should do what the club wants. His hair is incredibly crap and he looks like an idiot.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 5 2012, 08:45 AM
Thank you kurt. Players have too much individuality these days anyway.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 5 2012, 09:19 AM
Well there's a point of difference I see. Live life to the maximum and all that. Next thing I know Boateng is injured from having too much sex??! I've never heard of any of our past dream team people having that problem.
You can show up on time and go through the motions and fulfill the terms of your contract. That doesn't equate to giving it your all.
Rino talks about him coming an hour early to get a workout in the gym, while other players sauntered in 20 minutes before time.
You might think this is being boring and old-hat and conservative, but I think perhaps, this extra dedication is what kept the likes of Maldini and Seedorf on their feet through a season while this new lot fall like flies.
P.S: NOT SAYING SeS IS A PARTY ANIMAL OR DOES NOT TRAIN OR LOSE FOCUS...just that if he can give an extra 30 or 40% he ought to. Now is the time or else he risks being another one of those hundreds of journeymen footballers who once showed great promise.
+1
Couldn't agree with you more
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 5 2012, 10:06 AM
What?
The likes of Pirlo did spend time on their hair. Dida had a different fancy shave on his head every week, Ronaldo had http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/16072.jpg in his last days with us (not to mention http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQp-chKDltXpPMljVmwTLD1HqmbpcwpKpo3N9W9c0496mWjtdmz&t=1!), etc. and no one complained. now just because they or you don't like El Sha's Mohawk he's being too individual?
Please don't be hypocrites!
I don't like his haircut and shaved eyebrows either but it's none of anyone's business. certainly not his teammates. if the club decide it's not appropriate then he has to abide by the rules but that's not the case. his teammates have no right to interfere in these personal matters just because they think they're senators and have won a lot. what a crap. Rino thinks you should only focus on playing? tell that to Joe Jordan...
Posted by: William405 Sep 5 2012, 10:10 AM
Not going to enter the debate as it is a matter of opinion.Just gonna state that I don't agree...
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 5 2012, 10:39 AM
I think he's unprofessional looking, but I'm more concerned about his bragging about his personal life. When you're being paid millions by a club, you should act like a grown up, not likea spoiled child. He has plenty of time to mess around as a millionaire when he retires.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 5 2012, 12:47 PM
Thank you kurt.
@Zed.D: I'm not isolating his hairstyle. I just find the whole substance of the interview to be too rockstar-ish and full of entitlement (IMO) and if I connect his statements in the interview to what Rino stated about Milan in his last couple of years, I worry about the state of the dressing room, the discipline and our organizational identity.
Milan's greatest historically have been great footballers and cool blokes to boot. Not fancy prima donnas. I fear we shall be headed down the route before long.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 5 2012, 02:16 PM
Like almost everything in life, it's a two-folded thing.
Surely his haircut isn't the most important thing, nor does it directly influences his career or his displays. Yet, it is a sign. A sign something might not be perfectly well. Just like his comments about sex and his views on life.
And in reality, I must say, not everything seems to go well with the kid. We payed a lot money, really a lot considering how Milan spends in general, for this kid. But so far his displays lack maturity and more effort. Naturally, he's a kid and still has plenty of time; yet I'm under the impression that some other talented but more determinant kid would have grabbed more from the chances Allegri gave him.
Another thing is the overall determination. I think that hair- and appearance rules make sense. Why does a coach have to comply to a dress code?
As I remember correctly, Berlusconi prompted both Dida and Ronaldo to grow normal hair. And don't mention Dida, his haircuts coincidences with his rapid downfall in quality.
Another thing is - you guys mention Dida and Ronaldo - both superstars. I think we can all agree that El Shaarawy should rather follow their footsteps in footballing terms. When he reaches the level Ronaldo or Dida had, he can shave his head or paint it or do whatever he wants.
In general Milan changed. I think a lot of us here are a bit bothered how things look; many of us not being accustomed to ridiculous/teenage comments about sex (Boateng, El Shaarawy), haircuts (Robinho - every summer same story), etc. While at the same time all these mentioned players display at best questionable performances.
In the end, the management is at fault as well. They had a good chance to grow a new breed of Milan players along with Nesta, Maldini, Costacurta and the others. Those legends really played long enough to teach and coach younger players, to pass their wisdom. Yet, bad scouting, a not so impressive primavera school and missed opportunities lead us now to a squad that has almost nothing in common with the likes of Baresi, Maldini or Costacurta.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 5 2012, 02:23 PM
Cheer up, peeps. He was giving an interview for Max, a lifestyle magazine. Don't get too puzzled by some of the questions/answers.
Posted by: acid911 Sep 5 2012, 05:10 PM
If we are not half way there that is.
We sold our soul after the Kaka sale, and when we snapped up bad boys like Ibra, Boateng and that chap called Cassano. Milan went the Inter route, buying prima donnas and that landed us a Scudetto, and almost another one. Yup, we're half way there.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 5 2012, 05:12 PM
I think that the club has far bigger problems than worrying about El Shaarawy's hair. Just ridiculous that we're making an issue out of it
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 5 2012, 06:32 PM
We sold our soul after the Kaka sale, and when we snapped up bad boys like Ibra, Boateng and that chap called Cassano. Milan went the Inter route, buying prima donnas and that landed us a Scudetto, and almost another one. Yup, we're half way there.No; I can't agree with you that Kaka's sale made us sell our soul. Milan's soul is much bigger then any player.
I don't see why it would be ridiculous. Like I said, it's more of symbolic value. El Shaarawy's bad performances should be worrying though, don't you think?
Posted by: han2503 Sep 5 2012, 06:43 PM
And you really think that'll improve if he shaves off the mohawk???
I think the way he was handled last seasons in terms of how he was introduced to the team was smart on Allegri's part. And he needs to revert to that. Putting him in as a starting striker is just not a good idea. And don't tell me that he should be rising to the occasion because it's not as easy to be young and inexperienced to succeed when the rest of the players on the team who are more experienced then you are are also massively underachieving, and even worse, the massive boots of Ibrahimovic he's trying to fill.
Posted by: acid911 Sep 5 2012, 07:03 PM
I don't mean selling a player, of course Milan the club is always above any and all individuals.
It's more about a paradigm shift for the club. After winning the CL 2007 (completely out of the blue, I may add), we tried offloading our best player by far, first to City, and then packaged him to Madrid.It was during this time, the Maldini incident happened, and the club did nothing. The real damage started after that, an year or so later, when we started signing up bad boys, the ones I mentioned in my earlier post. Instead of being a good, classy club - one that was above all others - we became just another pretender.
And instead of growing young players at home, while creating a classy group of mainstays, and thinking longterm, we now think short term. Maybe longterm didn't bring us enough titles, surely not as many as Inter did while Juve went to where they belonged. It may very well be that Silvio isn't interested in splashing cash. Who knows?!
But surely, the club has lost it's aura, the halo above their head, with the players we signed up these past few years. Ibra did not hurt us that much with his attitude, but Cassano did. And with all our seniors gone, I am not sure the locker room is what it was at the start of last decade.
Soul's gone, soldier!
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 5 2012, 07:07 PM
My god, I said symbolic.
Posted by: acid911 Sep 5 2012, 07:13 PM
I'm with you 100%, man, but not really sure people are into symbolism these days.
Not speaking of members, here of course, but it's free for all in the real world these days. If it feels good, do it. That's their new motto!
Posted by: Jack Bauer Sep 5 2012, 07:17 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgEfYGzojcA
Posted by: acid911 Sep 5 2012, 07:29 PM
Nice!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Sep 20 2012, 08:34 AM
I can't be the only one who's been very disappointed with what I've seen from him so far? He has time on his side, but a deal that cost us a decent amount of money, he's really not that good. Fortunately he has a lot of time on his side.
Posted by: KillerMax Sep 20 2012, 09:28 AM
I thought last year he was great. This year no one has been good and I think he feels extremely under pressure to take responsibility. I think he'll come clean.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 20 2012, 09:56 AM
I think he shouldn't be starting regularly. With Carlo and even SAF, youngsters (at least the good ones)...always came into games at situations which played to their strengths. And then they develop.
To expect SeS to be the new Cassano and Robinho all in one is impossible. I liked the last 30 mins in the CL game that he played. Let's have more of that.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 21 2012, 08:48 AM
To expect SeS to be the new Cassano and Robinho all in one is impossible. I liked the last 30 mins in the CL game that he played. Let's have more of that.
Completely agree with this. SES should not be sarting games regularly. Especially when the team is under so much pressure to perform
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2012, 09:04 AM
Not that I blame Max for this. With Pato and Robinho out, his only options are Bojan and SeS.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 21 2012, 10:54 AM
Bojan is the wiser option though, he has experience, he's far more versatile and if given the chance I think him and Prince could link up well together so that Prince isn't basically locked in around our penalty area which is what's happening right now.
We need a striker who's willing to basically drop into midfield and interchange his role with Prince. It's what Ibra used to do and why Boa did so well these past 2 seasons
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 21 2012, 12:07 PM
We need a striker who's willing to basically drop into midfield and interchange his role with Prince. It's what Ibra used to do and why Boa did so well these past 2 seasons
4-2-3-1;
Montolivo - DJ
KPB - Nocerino - Bojan
Pazzini
What position does Monto occupy in the NT?
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2012, 12:10 PM
They have tried him everywhere and realised he's not so good to either replace Pirlo or be the next great treqqie.
His prefered role is in the side of center midfield. In FIFA terms, RCM or LCM.
So for me our ideal strongest team in Max's fav formation would be:
Abate---Mexes---Acerbi----Antonini
-----Monty---NdJ-----Noce-----
-------------KPB---------------
-------------------Robinho------
-----------Pazzini----------------
Subs: Ambro, Pato, SeS, Bojan, Flamini, Yepes, Bonera, DeSciglio
On paper, this team if it performs like we know it can, is CL material but even otherwise is definitely top 6.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 21 2012, 12:18 PM
Montolivo - DJ
KPB - Nocerino - Bojan
Pazzini
What position does Monto occupy in the NT?
Nocrino behind the strikers?
If we do play a 4-2-3-1 in the future I'd want Robinho and Bojan on the wings.
Pato imo would still be the undisputed started for the striker position when he's fit. Pazzini is a decent striker but he's not someone that can lead our line
If we do go to a 4-2-3-1 set up than I think Nocerino would either have to be sacrificed or we play something like this
KPB - Monto - Bojan
Pato
As for Monto's position, with the NT this summer he was the trequartista and imo he was one of the best performers for Italy (Pirlo aside). I think in the right system he could pull it off for us
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2012, 12:21 PM
If we do play a 4-2-3-1 in the future I'd want Robinho and Bojan on the wings.
Pato imo would still be the undisputed started for the striker position when he's fit. Pazzini is a decent striker but he's not someone that can lead our line
If we do go to a 4-2-3-1 set up than I think Nocerino would either have to be sacrificed or we play something like this
KPB - Monto - Bojan
Pato
As for Monto's position, with the NT this summer he was the trequartista and imo he was one of the best performers for Italy (Pirlo aside). I think in the right system he could pull it off for us
Sadly I think that train has left the station. I think much like Ambro and Pippo, we should move on and then one fine day at the start of the season, they'll just get fit and be useful again. We couldn't count on Ambro from 2002 to 2006 regularly. He had all those niggling injuries.
I think Pippo also missed a couple of seasons with us. Not including the last.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 21 2012, 12:49 PM
I think Pippo also missed a couple of seasons with us. Not including the last.
Still when he's fit and available he's our best striker. I'm just hoping we'll get to use him for more than 10 games this season.
I think Pazzini is basically useless for us atm. If we can't provide him with the proper service than he'll be a by-stander for the entire game. I'd rather we try a Pato-Bojan/Robinho striking duo when they become available
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2012, 12:59 PM
I'm not sure what's the point in making him our starting striker when he's not even got match fitness. He will just not play well and take further hits on his confidence.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 21 2012, 01:00 PM
So you're opposed to Pato starting when he's fit?
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 21 2012, 01:07 PM
Medically fit yes. Match fit no.
At this moment, especially with Allegri's fight with Pippo, I'm worried he's under so much pressure that he stops thinking and does what he did end of last season. When he threw in players who weren't ready and it bombed.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Sep 21 2012, 01:41 PM
At this moment, especially with Allegri's fight with Pippo, I'm worried he's under so much pressure that he stops thinking and does what he did end of last season. When he threw in players who weren't ready and it bombed.
I think the pressure on Allegri and the team is supressing our abilities and full potential. More like Allegri has no choice.
@han, Nocerino is box to box no? And none of the midfielders or bojan to play on the wing; a more narrow 4-2-3-1.
Robinho will be gone by January, most likely Santos. I'd rather slot in Pato and Pazzini to lead the attack. Pazzo has done well considering his match fitness, and I think he'd have a better spell than Gila did with us.
Posted by: KillerMax Sep 23 2012, 04:08 PM
Thanks for the goal man. Keep going strong!
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 23 2012, 05:27 PM
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 23 2012, 05:55 PM
Seems like he's only scoring against Udinese. 3 last matches, 3 goals.
Posted by: han2503 Sep 23 2012, 06:06 PM
He's developing one of those relationships like Sheva had with Lazio
The problem is he hasn't scored against anyone else in the league...
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 23 2012, 10:19 PM
Yeah, that's the thing. But we'll see, he's young and probably lacks confidence.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 28 2012, 12:45 AM
Stephan El Shaarawy ₉₂ vs Udinese
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bE2nN9f2ro&hd=1
Stephan El Shaarawy ₉₂ vs Cagliari
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_l3-yEQ5qE&hd=1
Posted by: KillerMax Sep 28 2012, 01:08 AM
Just imagine a fully fit Pato next to this guy...
Man I'm waiting for the day to see this formation:
Abate Mexes Zapata De Sciglio
Boateng De Jong Montolivo
Bojan Pato El Shaarway
With Bojan and Stephan playing a wider role and cutting in and Pato in a more advanced position to roam the middle and interchange with those two.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 28 2012, 01:21 AM
Man I'm waiting for the day to see this formation:
Abate Mexes Zapata De Sciglio
Boateng De Jong Montolivo
Bojan Pato El Shaarway
With Bojan and Stephan playing a wider role and cutting in and Pato in a more advanced position to roam the middle and interchange with those two.
No way Allegri would prefer Bojan over Robinho. I mean, the guy's already just been warming the bench.
Posted by: KillerMax Sep 28 2012, 02:36 AM
I don't care about Allegri. That's my fantasy line up. My reasoning to leave him out is because he has been below par for well over a year. On the other hand, from what little I saw from Bojan, he looks like he can connect better up there with our attacking movement and looks like he has good potential to cement his place in the line up if given regular playing time.
Robinho is already thinking about Brazil. He has always been a half-hearted player. Smiles too much without really accomplishing anything on the field. At this point I'd rather start introducing Niang into the line up than play this guy that will leave at the end of the season anyways.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 28 2012, 04:35 AM
Interesting lineup Max!
If everyone you mentioned there was able to play to their full potential... that would be quite a spectacle to see!
Unfortunately as X said though, with Allegri... I'm not sure we'd see that anytime soon!
Posted by: acid911 Sep 28 2012, 04:42 AM
Interesting as in still a few notches below what we had last season, Trini. Maybe more than a fair few notches. Heck, we'll have to add in a few more champions to balance out what we lost in Silva, Nesta, Ibra, Cassano and Van Bommel. Thing is, all our players in the last couple of seasons worked of off these five.
Now, with all five sold, transferred, retired or bullied their way out, eve our current best XI is, not very best.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Sep 28 2012, 04:53 AM
Cheer up chump!
Posted by: acid911 Sep 28 2012, 05:13 AM
Oh, I'm always in a good mood, man! Even stupid defeats and ugly draws have their charm when it comes to following a club. But nevertheless this mass exodus is something that I've talked about in years gone by. And well, now that we have had one, it's not a pleasant feeling when you consider the players we've bought in.
Then again, there is a chance that once this fantasy lineup plays a few matches, they'll hit form. Could be.
Posted by: CHU-LIP Sep 28 2012, 08:26 AM
Nor do I anyway.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Sep 28 2012, 08:51 AM
Hmm..in a lot of ways it reminds me of the debut seasons of Shevchenko. Especially his horrible second season. One of the reasons, why I'm not jumping up and saying our current one is the worst Milan team ever.
@Max: I like you lineup, except I want more Italians coz I'm a racist, fascist, fundamentalist.
Abate---Mexes---Bonera/Zapata----DeSciglio/Antonini
----Montolivo-----Ambro----Nocerino-----------
---Bojan/SeS--------SeS/Pazzini----------Pato---------
We need to find the next great Italian CB. If it were up to me and I had the cash we would splurge.
Out: Mexes, Yepes (age for the last)
In: Ogbonna, Astori
In the world of mid-fielders there's just nothing there that isn't overpriced or without excess baggage.
Posted by: Zed.D Sep 28 2012, 10:04 AM
In: Ogbonna, Astori
You're not a racist.
-
I like Max's lineup as well. I wish we could actually see that in action...
Posted by: han2503 Sep 28 2012, 10:47 AM
Man I'm waiting for the day to see this formation:
Abate Mexes Zapata De Sciglio
Boateng De Jong Montolivo
Bojan Pato El Shaarway
With Bojan and Stephan playing a wider role and cutting in and Pato in a more advanced position to roam the middle and interchange with those two.
That would be the dream line-up for everyone.
But we all know Allegri would never go fo it in a million years.
He'll continue to insist on Urby as part of the attacking trio and will more than likely include another DM in that midfield instead of either Monto or Prince, because that is too risky for him
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Sep 28 2012, 08:30 PM
@Max: I like you lineup, except I want more Italians coz I'm a racist, fascist, fundamentalist.
Abate---Mexes---Bonera/Zapata----DeSciglio/Antonini
----Montolivo-----Ambro----Nocerino-----------
---Bojan/SeS--------SeS/Pazzini----------Pato---------
We need to find the next great Italian CB. If it were up to me and I had the cash we would splurge.
Out: Mexes, Yepes (age for the last)
In: Ogbonna, Astori
In the world of mid-fielders there's just nothing there that isn't overpriced or without excess baggage.
Problem is, "the worst Milan project" was avoided when we fired Zaccheroni and splashed money on players like Pippo, Nesta, Costa, Seedorf or Pirlo. The thing is, nowadays I don't see us spending that much, and even if we could/would, the Italian Serie A isn't half as rich as back then with such world class players.
Posted by: X-Offender Sep 30 2012, 02:28 AM
If only certain players would follow his example. Very good game against Parma. His tracking back especially impressed me, along with his Kaká-style run in the first half. That was superb!
Posted by: KillerMax Oct 5 2012, 06:55 PM
The 19-year-old is making a name for himself this season after netting five goals in his last four games for the Diavolo.
“El Shaarawy has all the qualities needed to become a great player, but he still needs to grow,” stated Dejan Savicevic to the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He’s quick, he has a good shot and he scores with ease. However, if you don’t score goals then people will criticise you in Italy.
“It’s important that he’s scoring in a difficult moment for Milan…”
Andriy Shevchenko is also a fan of the Italian international. “El Shaarawy is fast, technically gifted and he has the freshness that you need in the difficult moments,” the Ukrainian noted.
“Who is he like? I don’t know who El Shaarawy can be compared to. I think that comparisons are harmful, because every champion is different.
“But Stephan has something that reminds me of myself, for example in the way that he accelerates.”
While Sheva was cautious with comparisons, Jose Altafini and Maurizio Ganz didn’t hold back.
“El Shaarawy reminds me of Neymar and Messi,” Altafini claimed. “They have a low centre of gravity. They play with the ball glued to their feet.
“El Shaarawy has already proved that he’s a good player. The important thing is not to bulk him up too much.”
Ganz said: “El Shaarawy reminds me of Neymar because they both like to start from deep. I like El Shaarawy because he’s very good at going straight for goal.
“He’s also an intelligent player, who is now showing that he’s also a scorer.”
FI
Posted by: KillerMax Oct 5 2012, 06:56 PM
Jesus people calm down...
Posted by: Zed.D Oct 5 2012, 07:09 PM
Pato hails El Shaarawy
Alexandre Pato has been left impressed by the ability of Milan new boy Stephan El Shaarawy. "He'll be a better player than me!"
The attacking midfielder, who will only turn 19 in October, joined the Rossoneri this summer from Genoa in a co-ownership deal.
"I really want to play alongside him," the Brazilian told Milan Channel. "He's a boy who will do better than me – I'm sure of that."
Pato may get his wish this weekend as an injury crisis means that the club's attacking options against Napoli are limited.
Boss Massimiliano Allegri can only count on Pato, Antonio Cassano and El Shaarawy for the San Paolo showdown.
El Shaarawy, an Italian Under-19 international whose father is Egyptian, has only appeared in three Serie A games during his career.
Pato's prediction way before anyone else's
Posted by: X-Offender Oct 5 2012, 07:37 PM
El Shaarawy reminds me of Neymar because of his hair.
Posted by: dst Oct 6 2012, 02:28 PM
I can't see how they compare ElSha to Messi... I don't think their games have anything in common. And surely, ElSha does not have the ball glued to his feet, his dribbling is quite clumsy at times.
Posted by: X-Offender Oct 6 2012, 03:38 PM
+1
Posted by: KillerMax Oct 31 2012, 08:44 PM
Carrying the team.
Posted by: Zed.D Nov 18 2012, 09:08 AM
^^ Still.
I think he should be our main penalty taker so he can go on and hopefully become the top scorer of the season. we need something positive to take out of this season after all...
Posted by: Ry4n Nov 18 2012, 01:09 PM
I think he should be our main penalty taker so he can go on and hopefully become the top scorer of the season. we need something positive to take out of this season after all...
this
Ela Sha carrying the team 2012.
Posted by: X-Offender Nov 18 2012, 04:03 PM
Top scorer with 10 goals and none of them from penalties. Amazing!
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Nov 18 2012, 04:29 PM
Man I hope this kid can pull off a Maldini-esque career.
More than that, I really hope he continues to develop well and doesn't become a one season wonder.
At the moment though, it suely looks like the sky is the limit for the guy. Awesome talent.
If there was one 'good' thing from Ibra departure, its gotta be this kid's uprising! 
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 18 2012, 11:01 PM
No one can come close to Maldini, but if he pulls off a Sheva I'd be happy. We have invested good, one of the few jackpots in recent time.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 18 2012, 11:08 PM
Oh well, speaking of the two...
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Nov 18 2012, 11:36 PM
El Sha looks appropriately star struck. Good lad!
Posted by: acid911 Nov 19 2012, 12:12 AM
+∞
Thanks for the awesome image too!
Posted by: Ry4n Nov 19 2012, 01:38 AM
Maldini's shirt looks like he got it from a homeless person....Milan fashion..............
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Nov 19 2012, 10:32 AM
Hmm...Is he wearing it inside out?
Posted by: Ry4n Nov 19 2012, 11:15 AM
and are those stains...or split vino...
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Nov 19 2012, 05:03 PM
I have a similar shirt, it's just fashion - it's not inside out hehe
Posted by: Jack Bauer Nov 19 2012, 06:29 PM
Paolo can pull anything off 
Posted by: acid911 Nov 19 2012, 07:25 PM
And that's the bottom line.
Because Jack Bauer said so, as it deserved to be said!
Posted by: William405 Nov 24 2012, 01:18 PM
http://football-italia.net/27658/el-shaarawy-beating-juve-priceless
And people here(YEs I'm referring TO YOU JACK) doubted that he was giving 100percent.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 1 2012, 07:08 PM
Galliani: "After Neymar, El Shaarawy is the best 20-y-o out there".
LOL. Does Galliani even watch foreign football? For starters, Götze is twice the player El Shaarawy is.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 1 2012, 07:51 PM
He plays a different position though. Anyway, those are propaganda quotes. Nothing serious.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 1 2012, 08:05 PM
He's only trying to hype him up so he can sell him at a premium rate. You should know the score by now x-off
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 1 2012, 08:24 PM
Already?
Posted by: han2503 Dec 1 2012, 09:03 PM
Well of course!!!!
It's good business sense!!
Look what happened with Pato. He was at least worth 35 to 40 just 2 seasons ago. Now look what happened.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 1 2012, 09:13 PM
Posted by: han2503 Dec 1 2012, 09:44 PM
Juve have got to have the sh!ttiest attacking line of any championship winning team for a while now.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 03:29 PM
We're almost certainly losing El-Sha in January.
He's been our talisman this season - he's a top player, getting better with every match, and rich clubs will definitely fancy a punt at him.
It would be amazing if he's still here come February.
Posted by: William405 Dec 4 2012, 03:35 PM
He's been our talisman this season - he's a top player, getting better with every match, and rich clubs will definitely fancy a punt at him.
It would be amazing if he's still here come February.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 4 2012, 03:59 PM
He's been our talisman this season - he's a top player, getting better with every match, and rich clubs will definitely fancy a punt at him.
It would be amazing if he's still here come February.
Nah, not a chance of that happening.
No matter how good he's been, he's still not going to generate the type of money we'd be willing to sell for. Once the offers exceed the 35m mark then we can start to worry about Galliani rubbing his hands in glee.
I don't think SES is there yet in terms of price tag
Posted by: Zed.D Dec 4 2012, 04:16 PM
He's been our talisman this season - he's a top player, getting better with every match, and rich clubs will definitely fancy a punt at him.
It would be amazing if he's still here come February.
LOL how did you come up with that? 0% chance of that happening. I'm sure he will be at Milan next season as well. I mean, yes, we're a desperate selling club these days, but we're not THAT desperate. and as han said no one going to offer 30+ million for SES just yet anyway.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 04:20 PM
Mark my words, I would not be shocked if a 20M bid comes in and he's off.
Fact is half a season is a long time in football, and as far as clubs are concerned this guy is the real deal. We know he's very good and he's probably the most in-form striker in Serie A.
So how did I come up with that? The fact we're vulnerable, a selling club, and repeatedly shed our best players.
I admit there's not been any speculation but it just doesn't seem that far out to me.
Posted by: Zed.D Dec 4 2012, 04:37 PM
I know what you're saying, but it's just too soon for other clubs to break the bank for him and for us to lose our best player and savior. he's certainly not going to be sold this winter. there would be a riot in Milan, we just recently sold Ibra and Silva. that's 3 years after we sold Kaka, so I guess SES will be at Milan for the next season or two. if he continues to impress like this, it'll be impossible to hold on to him in a few years' time though. unless we somehow stop being a selling club.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 04:49 PM
Not sure I'd agree about the 'too soon' thing - Oscar has JUST turned 21 and was a slightly 'unknown' quantity at Internacional when Chelsea fired 20M at them for him. He'd just had a brilliant season aged 19/20...
And El-Sha is in a much stronger and higher-profile league than the Brazilian one...
As for riot in Milan - not happening. We just keep selling our best players and the fans keep taking it. Only sign of objection is lower Serie A league attendances.
Posted by: milanbuf88 Dec 4 2012, 05:10 PM
And El-Sha is in a much stronger and higher-profile league than the Brazilian one...
As for riot in Milan - not happening. We just keep selling our best players and the fans keep taking it. Only sign of objection is lower Serie A league attendances.
There is 0% we sell SES for 20M. That's pretty much what we paid for him. If we get offers in the 35-40M range you might have to worry a little but I think you're just being paranoid.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 4 2012, 05:32 PM
And El-Sha is in a much stronger and higher-profile league than the Brazilian one...
As for riot in Milan - not happening. We just keep selling our best players and the fans keep taking it. Only sign of objection is lower Serie A league attendances.
Danny, I don't think you're up to date with the financials of this club (please, don't take it as an offense). Yes, we did sell Thiago and Ibra solely for the money, but it was a necessary move since we had a €75 million deficit for the 2012 fiscal year, and the FFP regulations allow the owners of a club to cover a maximum of €45 million of losses, until 2015, when the acceptable deviation will be further reduced to €30 million. Also, we managed to substantially cut our wage-bill from €156 million to €96 million this summer, which was the main cause of our deficit. This doesn't mean that we can finally start purchasing stars again, but it will allow us to breath some fresh air for a while and not be enforced to sell our best players.
Posted by: acid911 Dec 4 2012, 06:04 PM
It's always funny when you say this, X-Offender.
Always.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 4 2012, 06:14 PM
Fact is half a season is a long time in football, and as far as clubs are concerned this guy is the real deal. We know he's very good and he's probably the most in-form striker in Serie A.
So how did I come up with that? The fact we're vulnerable, a selling club, and repeatedly shed our best players.
I admit there's not been any speculation but it just doesn't seem that far out to me.
20m is still not an offer that would make a blip on Galliani's radar.
We paid a substantial amount for him plus losing out on a potentially good player in Merkel as well. SES won't be sold anytime soon, you can rest assured.
Exactly
Some other good points here. Also, SES is not on a big contract either. And once Robinho is out the door, we can breath easy in that department.
Posted by: Zed.D Dec 4 2012, 06:18 PM
Where does you username come from anyway, X-Off? that Blondie song?
And El-Sha is in a much stronger and higher-profile league than the Brazilian one...
As for riot in Milan - not happening. We just keep selling our best players and the fans keep taking it. Only sign of objection is lower Serie A league attendances.
You say Oscar but amongst strikers, Neymar is more exciting and IMO higher than SES on top clubs' wishlist. yet he's still at Santos despite being 20 (that's too old for a promising Brazilian striker!). some clubs seem to spend money like maniacs but they can't sign everyone out there. personally I'm not at all worried about SES being sold any time soon.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 4 2012, 07:49 PM
Always. Haha, people always mention that Blondie song when they ask about my username. No, it's from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKM01IqrOw8.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 4 2012, 08:44 PM
Blur song is better anyway
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 4 2012, 09:32 PM
Fact is half a season is a long time in football, and as far as clubs are concerned this guy is the real deal. We know he's very good and he's probably the most in-form striker in Serie A.
So how did I come up with that? The fact we're vulnerable, a selling club, and repeatedly shed our best players.
I admit there's not been any speculation but it just doesn't seem that far out to me.
Too early for SES to leave. However, if it is as you say, then we would be faced with two choice either we match the salary on offer (he's on a long term contract with us, so we dont have to budge really, unless he flips out on us..), while the other choice is to accept an astronomical fee for a 20 year old, something like 30MM plus.
We aren't a selling club, just that we cant afford the wage packages that Chelsea, Madrid, City.. are offering. Moreover, by April our new financial statements will be out, and we'll know if we are still a selling club or not.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 09:37 PM
We paid 10M Euros I was under the impression? I just double checked the price.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 4 2012, 09:38 PM
You always claim this, but it's completely untrue. Sheva, Kaká, Ibra and Thiago, they didn't leave because Chelsea, Real and PSG offered them higher wages, but either due to personal reasons (Sheva) or for us in order to cash in.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Dec 4 2012, 09:41 PM
Which makes us a selling club.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 09:43 PM
Problem with Neymar is only City, PSG, or Zenit can afford him. He will cost £insane - like 40M (according to that values site, whereas personally I think he'd fetch a lot more). SES is valued at £14M and much more viable a target - I also think HE is being undervalued by said site. And all 3 of these sides already have striking wells deeper than the Atlantic.
We sell off the family silver regularly and I can see it happening again.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 09:46 PM
YOU PIG! (
)I completely take in what you are saying, I do, but do you truly believe if some rich club waved £20M+ at us for SES we'd keep him?
You can quote the reality of the financial situation all you like but we ARE a selling club.
We'll see who's right come January should a bid come in. I hope it's you.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 4 2012, 09:57 PM
)I completely take in what you are saying, I do, but do you truly believe if some rich club waved £20M+ at us for SES we'd keep him?
You can quote the reality of the financial situation all you like but we ARE a selling club.
We'll see who's right come January should a bid come in. I hope it's you.
What's the point in signing Balotelli then, if we're gonna sell El Shaarawy. Because we do want to sign Balotelli in January.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 4 2012, 10:13 PM
Not really.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Dec 4 2012, 10:20 PM
Recent history shows otherwise. Whether it's a wage or some other thing - we can't afford the big stars anymore and even before Zlatan and Silva - like it was with Kaka - we sold to a more financially capable club as soon as the player become more than we can bear. We are not Ajax type selling club off course but we (recently) aren't Real Madrid either.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 4 2012, 10:23 PM
We sell because we make losses. We make losses because our wage bill is 90% of our Revenue.
We sold Kaka, Sheva, etc to cover the losses. We sold TS, Zlatan, and released Pirlo because we are forced to reduce our wage bill pending FFP compliance.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Dec 4 2012, 10:27 PM
We sold Kaka, Sheva, etc to cover the losses. We sold TS, Zlatan, and released Pirlo because we are forced to reduce our wage bill pending FFP compliance.
And because we can't cover the losses like some other clubs can we become a selling (the top earners) club. It's the bottom line that counts.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 4 2012, 10:51 PM
10m to Genoa for HALF his co-ownership last season, and I think we payed somthing else this summer plus handed over Merkel. The kid didn't come cheap and selling him for anything below 35m would be terrible business.
You can quote the reality of the financial situation all you like but we ARE a selling club.
We'll see who's right come January should a bid come in. I hope it's you.
Yes we would, as like I said, it's not enough to tickle Galliani's fancy.
Look at our previous sales of stars. All of them were huge fees, and we won't get anything less then that for SES when the time is right
In fact I am 10000% sure that he'll be a Milan player come February.
@ R7, don't try to say that we're not a selling club, because we are. We migt not have been one yet when Sheva left, however that sale did trigger a series of sales because before we lost Sheva our stars were always considered unsellable. Let's not forget that we were practically forcing Kaka out with our feet on his back trying to push him out the door in January when City came calling. Silva and Ibra were not sold because we couldn't match the wages they were offered by PSG, because both of them would have preferred to stay with the same contract they had previous to any offer PSG made, and both have come out and said this. But the club were desperate for the cash injection they would bring and the huge wieght selling them would take off our wage bill.
We are a selling club that's our reality these days. We just have to deal with it
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 4 2012, 11:12 PM
Whoever believes we sold Silva and Ibra because we couldn't match their new wage demands MUST read all of the evidence that has come out against such claims, the strongest of which is the players themselves categorically rejecting such notions and giving their explanations as to why. It has been made clear on multiple occasions.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 4 2012, 11:22 PM
Don't worry, apart from R7, nobody believes that.
Posted by: Danny Dec 4 2012, 11:56 PM
Merkel is worth a sardine. But as for terrible business, selling Kaka to RM and losing out on 40M was pretty awful business if you ask me! It was good business in effect of getting £56M for a rapidly-declining player, but we could have got way more.
Look at our previous sales of stars. All of them were huge fees, and we won't get anything less then that for SES when the time is right
In fact I am 10000% sure that he'll be a Milan player come February.
Seem to recall you saying something similar about Juve not being champions last season
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 5 2012, 06:49 AM
Claims are based on the club's financials and the club's compliance with FFP. However. if it is your belief that B&G want to sell our stars to piss off the fans, then that is your right
or if you like refer to this blogs for an example of what our finances looked like previously http://www.rossoneriblog.com/2012/05/04/milans-financial-state/ .. The reason our squad looks relatively weak in comparison to the Shevchenko days is directly affiliated with our financial ability to maintain such a team. Taking all external factors into consideration.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 5 2012, 06:59 AM
I see where your coming from and that is absolutely true. However, it is more to do with us not being able to afford players like TS and Zlatan. There are 2 or 3 threads in this forum that talk about Milan's financial state with snapshots of our financial statements - Which is where I base my claim. The truth really does not deviate a lot from that.
Have a http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2012/05/milan-warning-signs.html if you have the time, I am not the author so you can reference this against the threads in MF that refer to our financial state.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 5 2012, 10:07 AM
Seem to recall you saying something similar about Juve not being champions last season
He's a good player who at least is worth around 5m.
As for Kaka, he didn't want to go to City we weren't going to force him to sign for them. We wanted him out so he chose Real. Simple as that really
Yeah well, we're managed by a noob coach and I couldn't predict that our injury problems in January would escalate to the point they did for the rest of the season.
Last season Juve had something like a total of 5 injuries over the season to their starting 11, they have a really great coach, were not distracted by CL football and once again, they have a good coach while ours is Allegri.
We fought them until the last few match days even with such a depleted squad and no kurt it wasn't because of Allegri's genius tactical mind
Had we not been screwed over in that game against them and had we a few less injuries we would have un away with it when Juve were drawing every game they went out for last season. But that's that. We threw away our last chance at a Scudetto for a while now as I can't see us competing for one anytime soonThat being said I was wrong about that as they won it at the end of the day. However you mark my words SES will be a Milan player in February.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Dec 5 2012, 10:52 AM
Of course SES will be a Milan player in January.
Unless we reach a stage where he wishes out, or his form drops, I don't think much will change.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 5 2012, 12:14 PM
Yeah, agreed. He'll stay with us. If we sell him, that means we're even worse then Parma and have absolutely no development strategy.
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 5 2012, 12:52 PM
or if you like refer to this blogs for an example of what our finances looked like previously http://www.rossoneriblog.com/2012/05/04/milans-financial-state/ .. The reason our squad looks relatively weak in comparison to the Shevchenko days is directly affiliated with our financial ability to maintain such a team. Taking all external factors into consideration.
Oh my God...
Claims are based on the club's financials and the club's compliance with FFP.
READ my post and tell me where I denied such claims?
However. if it is your belief that B&G want to sell our stars to piss off the fans, then that is your right
Now read it again and tell me where I stated I hold such belief? And then do most of us a favor and wipe that smirk off your smug face.
My point remains, it was not the players who pushed for the move because of money or any other matter in fact. It was rather the club that pushed them out for various reasons. And yes, balancing the books was the main reason, but that's besides my point.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 5 2012, 01:06 PM
FFP is still as BS a notion as it was before. Berlusconi's support has been dwindling for a while now. These are facts of life. FFP is just a very good excuse for Galliani to use. However Silvio has been pulling away from the club for a while now, especially in terms of monetary support. He was doing the bare minimum by covering the losses and not much else.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 5 2012, 01:10 PM
Why so serious? Do we need to make insults really?
Posted by: Ry4n Dec 5 2012, 02:00 PM
No we will just become like most clubs these days a feeder team.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 5 2012, 02:03 PM
I don't think so. We're too big for that. If this really is what lies ahead, I'm positive that someone will buy us out.
Posted by: Ry4n Dec 5 2012, 02:13 PM
I'm sure someone in the future will if its true about Berlusconi and such. We would only become a feeder club if we sold fresh new talent which we have not done selling TS and Ibra was just whole sale.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Dec 5 2012, 02:17 PM
You know it's hard for me to repeat the whole thing over and over again. I spent a couple of days doing research on FFP and Milan, before I took it seriously. But I did do a lot of homework and now I take it very seriously.
You raise the same 'reasons' as to why you think FFP is nonsense. Bringing up Madrid, Barca, Chelsea etc. without realising that we're not even in the same ballpark as those marketting phenomenons. The only reason we still competed with them, was because of Silvio's 'dwindling' influence not despite it.
Let me put it into perspective... our precious Milan??! It earns less commercial revenue than Borussia fuckin Dortmund. And we are the number one commercial revenue earning team in Italy. Will at least this tidbit convince you of how f@cked Italian football is?
I don't argue with kurtsimonw much, when he says FFP is fundamentally flawed. He has his reasons, and while I disagree it, we are disagreeing more on an ideological level. When you say FFP is BS though, that's crazy.
It's a bit like saying, I shall continue to rob and steal and kill, because capital punishment is a brand new law in my country that hasn't been implemented yet. So until it is, I refuse to believe that a written decree means anything.
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 8 2012, 01:44 AM
FFP is very real. Look at inter right now, they're forced to get rid of sneijder and co. because they're so deep in debt.
Posted by: Ry4n Dec 8 2012, 03:03 AM
This is why i want Milan to get more raw talent , we have to start acting like most of the other Serie A clubs and European clubs have been acting in the transfer market for a while now bringing in raw talent and giving them a chance ofc mixing them with experience. After seeing SES blossom this season its rejuvenated my faith in the younger generation, giving players like SES and co the breathing room they need to expand there game. As i said most Serie A clubs have been doing this for a while in other formulas and have had great success. This does not mean we will become a feeder club to the other big clubs like Barca , Man City, Real ect ect we just won't be spending stupid amounts of money to bring in ready made talent. I mean seeing Merkal leave genoa made me cringe we kind of need a player like that atm.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Dec 8 2012, 07:54 PM
Not exactly the same. We're all delighted with SES, but lest we forget, he's not some primavera like De Sciglio. By Italian standards we paid top dollar for the kid. Close to 15 million Euros for a 19 year old.
Tbh..I'm more excited with De Sciglio. Now that's showing genuine youth coming through.
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 16 2012, 08:59 AM
El Sha to De S: "Niang is only 17, I'm 20 and we have Mastour, what an awesome attack we're gonna have! And for the defence we have you!"
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 16 2012, 08:59 AM
Roman Abramovich eyeing his new signings.
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 16 2012, 09:00 AM
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 16 2012, 09:00 AM
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 16 2012, 09:00 AM
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 16 2012, 09:03 AM
El Shaarawy: "I've gotten my driver's license, so now I don't have to rely on Antonini to take me to Milanello anymore!"
El Shaarawy: "Who has taught me the most at Milan? In terms of football, I will say Ibra and Thiago Silva."
El Shaarawy: "Seedorf, Inzaghi and Ambrosini have taught me the most from a human point of view."
El Shaarawy: "But I've learned from everyone at Milan by observing them train, and how they behave with the media and the fans."
El Shaarawy: "Ibra used to yell at everybody, not just me. It all comes from his desire to win."
El Shaarawy: "I've never had a quarrel with Gattuso. His declarations were about youngsters in general, not me specifically."
El Shaarawy: "After we beat Udinese last year where I scored the winning goal, we were in the changing rooms and Galliani gave me his phone and said that it was Berlusconi. I was speechless. I couldn't say a word while he was complimenting me."
El Shaarawy: "When we have lunch at Milanello I sit with the senators in the squad. It was also like that last season."
El Shaarawy: "I get along best with Ambro, Abate, Antonini and Bonera."
El Shaarawy: "I live in the San Siro zone. Last year my father was also with us, now my mother is here. My brother visits us sometimes."
El Shaarawy: "If I know how to cook? I know how to make one pasta dish, but I always clean up after we have dinner at home."
El Shaarawy: "What I do in my spare time? Playstation, watch tv. I watch all the football that I can."
El Shaarawy: "I like watching and playing snooker which is a kind of billiard. I'm going to buy a billiard table soon."
El Shaarawy: "I still haven't been inside the Duomo in Milano or seen Castello Sforzesco or The Last Supper painting."
El Shaarawy: "Ambrosini will also pay for my vacation during the christmas break. I will go somewhere in the mountains."
El Shaarawy: "The best defenders that I've faced are Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol. They really impressed me last year when we met them."
El Shaarawy: "The player that has surprised me the most is Denis from Atalanta. He has strength, technique and an eye for goal."
El Shaarawy: "The nickname Il Faraone? It was given to me by a Sky commentator 2 years ago during Genoa-Empoli (Primavera final)."
El Shaarawy: "I like the nickname Il Faraone, because I'm also part Egyptian due to my father."
El Shaarawy: "If I believe that Milan will return to being great again? Milan are already great."
El Shaarawy: "I'm still the same person as always. Only thing that has changed is that I pay for the pizza when I'm with my friends."
El Shaarawy: "The strength of a true champion consists of never settling or being satisfied. You must always improve."
El Shaarawy: "What I fear? Sometimes I think that it only takes very little to hit rock bottom."
El Shaarawy: "I have always been more of a goalscorer than an assistman."
El Shaarawy: "Allegri is not the type who speaks a lot. He has always given me good advice, both about football and about life."
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 16 2012, 11:41 AM
Nice to see there's some cohesion between the youngsters.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 16 2012, 03:29 PM
Roman Abramovich eyeing his new signings.
That does look an awful lot like Abramovich.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 16 2012, 05:16 PM
16 goals this season and it's not even winter break yet...
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 16 2012, 05:24 PM
With no penalties, I might add.
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 16 2012, 05:30 PM
Would be great to see him break the 25, or dare I say even 30 this season.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 16 2012, 05:32 PM
I hope he stays focused and wins us the Capocannoniere for the second time in a row.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 16 2012, 05:40 PM
I think he'll reach 24-25 maximum. Not saying it wouldn't be a great achievement, on the contrary...
PS: I'm talking about Serie A.
Posted by: Zed.D Dec 16 2012, 05:48 PM
I really don't care how many goals he scores as long as he wins the Capocannoniere.
Posted by: Jack Bauer Dec 16 2012, 07:15 PM
The Gunners have repeatedly been linked with a bid for the 20-year-old, even before he was bought outright by Milan over the summer.
Any transfer now is extremely unlikely, as he is the current Serie A top scorer and the Rossoneri’s most prolific player in all competition this season.
“El Shaarawy is a very mobile, very technical young player. His philosophy fits perfectly with mine,” Wenger told Eurosport.
The French tactician also told newspaper Metro that a January offer was not out of the question.
“You never know. I just say I love the way he plays.”
El Shaarawy is valued at a minimum of €30m, but Milan have pledged not to sell their latest discovery, who is a life-long Rossoneri supporter.
http://www.football-italia.net/28500/wenger-i-el-shaarawy
Keep your frog hands off our gem.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow Dec 16 2012, 08:22 PM
I was going to think of a list of players plus cash that Arsenal could give us in return for SES, and then I realised..they have no one. NOT ONE SINGLE Arsenal player do I want in our team.
How times change!
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 16 2012, 08:32 PM
We paid, what, 20m in cash+players for him overall? There's no way Arsenal could afford him given he'd be worth more now.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 16 2012, 08:42 PM
How times change!
I'd take Wilshere any day of the week. But yeah, the rest are all mediocre to average players.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 16 2012, 09:18 PM
I'd like Cazorla as well
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 16 2012, 09:34 PM
We'll probably give him to Arsenal for Rosicky, Chamakh and 5m and say it's an awesome deal for us.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 16 2012, 09:41 PM
That'd be the end of the world, not 21 December.
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 16 2012, 10:18 PM
Unless the player asks for the transfer himself, the day we sell El Shaarawy is the day I will stop supporting Milan. I've had it up to my neck with this. I love El Shaarawy and seeing him go anytime in the next 6-7 years would hurt a lot. I've gone through Shevchenko and Kaka. I can't do this one. I'm afraid for my health.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 16 2012, 10:46 PM
I don't love El Shaarawy, not yet anyway. But yeah, selling him anytime soon would be the last straw.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 16 2012, 11:13 PM
+1
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 16 2012, 11:20 PM
I said this on July 24th, 2011.
Amen.
Posted by: acid911 Dec 17 2012, 02:21 AM
Gee, this Wenger fella sure is obsessed with Milan. 
Every couple of month I hear a comment from him, sometime banishing us, sometime praising us, and quite often talking about our players.
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 17 2012, 06:26 AM
could get huntelaar or llorente for almost nothing but has a craving for young boys. pedofile.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 17 2012, 11:57 AM
Sorry? Could we keep it civilized though?
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 17 2012, 04:34 PM
Huntelaar... Now that's one player I wish we had never sold. But the circumstances required it, so...
Posted by: han2503 Dec 17 2012, 06:27 PM
We had Ibra, keeping Huntelaar would have been pointless not to mention that he's had 2 chances with big teams and failed both times while his record with clubs like Shalke and Ajax is great
Posted by: kurtsimonw Dec 17 2012, 06:32 PM
Agreed. Big fish/small pond syndrome.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 17 2012, 06:57 PM
Nah, Huntelaar is a fantastic striker. He was just unlucky that he played for Madrid and us in troublesome times.
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 17 2012, 07:47 PM
Certainly he is what he is, I don't want to over exaggerate on his part, as he certainly has the platform to achieve a Ballon d'Or if he keeps his head on the pitch and keeps improving game by game.
I certainly hope no team comes close to striking a deal for the kid. He is on a long-term contract and Milan could certainly accommodate more to the kid. Problem is, if we receive something in excess of EUR 40MM?
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 17 2012, 08:06 PM
Nah, I don't think El Shaarawy is Ballon d'Or material.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 17 2012, 09:52 PM
I certainly hope no team comes close to striking a deal for the kid. He is on a long-term contract and Milan could certainly accommodate more to the kid. Problem is, if we receive something in excess of EUR 40MM?
40m now for El Shaa?
I personally would consider it a this point. Becuase from a financial stanpoint that cannot really be ignored. But from a footballing perspective, where would that leave us?
That amount can barely secure us 2 to 3 top players
Posted by: Rossoneri7 Dec 17 2012, 10:40 PM
Well ofcourse he isn't now, but he is on a platform (AC Milan) that would easily facilitate for it if he keeps his mind on the pitch.
I personally would consider it a this point. Becuase from a financial stanpoint that cannot really be ignored. But from a footballing perspective, where would that leave us?
That amount can barely secure us 2 to 3 top players
If you plan it out right you might get better 'value-for-money' players in the long-term .. Further, I doubt any club would offer such a fee, without looking at Balotelli and such players in the same age/skill bracket. Then again, the club wont need to sell if we manage to show a profit at the end of the fiscal year.
Posted by: han2503 Dec 17 2012, 11:02 PM
Yep, for some reason I erased the bit in my previous post about possibly getting someone like Neymar with that sum. At most SES is worth around 20 to 25m right now. And this is because of the over infaltion of player prices
And it would be criminal not to make a profit this time around considering all the sacrifices this club had to make in the summer
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 17 2012, 11:44 PM
I didn't mean now, I meant in general. I don't think El Shaarawy will reach that level to win the Ballon d'Or. That's just me, though.
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 18 2012, 12:38 AM
Stop discussing the "sale" of El Shaa!!! STOP IT NOW!!! 
Posted by: han2503 Dec 18 2012, 01:14 PM
Oh come on. For 40m+ I'd put the bow on his head myself
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 18 2012, 10:32 PM
And I will put a bullet between you eyebrows myself..
Posted by: han2503 Dec 18 2012, 10:42 PM
Come on now, don't be like that.
We all know that atm, realistically SES is worth around 20m to 25m. 40m is huge money if we can let go of Silva for that amount than I sure can let go of SES
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 18 2012, 10:44 PM
Me thinks Max is a bit too much in love with El Sha.
Posted by: KillerMax Dec 19 2012, 03:30 AM
Guys, it's not about the player's value or any hypothetical money offered. It's about cutting our only player that resembles a club symbol in-the-making yet again. It would be ridiculous to no end. Sheva, Kaka, Silva & Ibra and now El Shaa? If this team makes a habit of selling their symbols one after the other, well then I got news for you, I'm f@cking OUT! If getting 40 + million deals is your thing then become a fan of an insurance corporation... Or any other money making corporation.. They EXIST for that sole purpose.
Just like some other people said, we are starting to have no identity any more... Get a billion for all I care, I know for a fact that the various Chealse/ Man C/ PSG stories has no appeal for me. The main reason why I became a Milan fan was because of its unique, fantasy like stories... The ones it was known for, the ones it was creating and the ones they set out to create. I'll wait and see, but I'm on the edge..!
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 19 2012, 04:30 AM
Well, I wouldn't worry about it. El Sha isn't going anywhere.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 19 2012, 08:02 AM
Yeah. At least not in this cycles.
Posted by: Bluesummers Dec 20 2012, 12:13 AM
hahahahahahhahahha
Posted by: Jack Bauer Dec 20 2012, 01:53 AM
A helping hand.
Posted by: Ry4n Dec 20 2012, 02:28 AM
hahahahahahhahahha
Where was zapata's other hand!
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 20 2012, 02:35 AM
Hm, now that you mention it, El Shaarawy seems an awful lot of pain.
Posted by: TriniKing_CE Dec 30 2012, 06:05 PM
Gds : Ses scored 14/18 games .. which is 3rd best in Milan History.
SES also has best U-21 Record in Serie A so far
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 30 2012, 07:14 PM
Go SES!
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 30 2012, 09:25 PM
Let's hope he can keep it up.
Posted by: Fillipo Simone Dec 30 2012, 09:26 PM
He still has to prove against a big team, like Inter, Juve or Barcelona.
Posted by: X-Offender Dec 30 2012, 09:27 PM
Aye. He tends to disappear in the important games.
Posted by: acid911 Dec 30 2012, 10:51 PM
Well, having surrounded by mediocre and non-existent forwards helps. You get far more chances, than in a crowded striking lineup. Of course, then it begs the needs to finish them, and El Shaarawy has done exactly that. But nevertheless, this is the start of a journey. So far so good, but let's see how he ends.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 3 2013, 05:16 AM
TMW held a poll about the best player of 2012 and out of 30,107 votes (as of now), El Shaarawy had the majority with 23.13%, followed by Pirlo and Cavani.
http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/?action=sondaggio&idsondaggio=449
Posted by: kurtsimonw Jan 3 2013, 05:37 AM
He's the best player of this season so far, whole of 2012? Easily Cavani, in my opinion.
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 3 2013, 04:40 PM
Yeah, well the fact that he's Italian and young has got something to do with that. Personally, I'd give it to Pirlo.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 3 2013, 04:52 PM
Pirlo for me too
2012 doesn't mean these last few months of THIS season.
Pirlo was amazing last season for Juve, he's a major part of the reason why they won that Scudetto and he followed that up for Italy with some amazing displays in the Euros.
SES has been a good goal scorer for us, but he hasn't been better than either Cavani or Pirlo for the whole year
Posted by: X-Offender Jan 3 2013, 04:55 PM
Although, I did vote for El Shaarawy. I'm a milanista after all.
Posted by: acid911 Jan 3 2013, 05:20 PM
Oh, a lot to do with that, I am sure.
Nothing much wrong with that, but with Ibra gone (he did well in the first half of the season), the best performer of the league this year is undoubtedly Cavani. Chuck Norris on the other hand was extremely lucky playing as a focal point of Juventus. Had it been any other club, bah!Same with Shaarawy to a large extent. More competition means lesser chances of being the deciding factor during matches. Had we some other big names, El Shaarawy would not have boasted these numbers. Cavani on the other hand was carrying Napoli on his shoulders, in the league as well as Europe.
Posted by: han2503 Jan 3 2013, 05:44 PM
Nothing much wrong with that, but with Ibra gone (he did well in the first half of the season), the best performer of the league this year is undoubtedly Cavani. Chuck Norris on the other hand was extremely lucky playing as a focal point of Juventus. Had it been any other club, bah!Same with Shaarawy to a large extent. More competition means lesser chances of being the deciding factor during matches. Had we some other big names, El Shaarawy would not have boasted these numbers. Cavani on the other hand was carrying Napoli on his shoulders, in the league as well as Europe.
Being the focal point for Juve wasn't really the problem, Pirlo was outstanding for Italy as well
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