[littlechris]

talian champions AC Milan are on the verge of agreeing a co-ownership deal with Genoa for their rising star Stephan El Shaarawy, the 18-year-old attacker who took Serie B by storm in 2010-11 during his loan spell with play-off finalists Padova.

The Italian youngster, whose surname comes from his Egyptian heritage, has caused a stir at youth international level in his appearances from under-16 to under-19, and added regular senior football to his CV over the past season with the Biancorossi.

His performances have moved Milan to make an approach, and they are set to use El Shaarawy as a first-team squad member in 2011-12. It will be a huge step up for the player, giving him his first taste of football for a top level club. It shouldn't faze him too much though, given that he made his Serie A debut with Genoa when still just 16.

So for those Milan and Azzurri fans wondering exactly what all the fuss is about, and not knowing what to expect of El Shaarawy next season, we asked Goal.com Italy's Simone Gambino to give us the full rundown on the Savona-born player.

What has his performance level been like over the last season?

He was the best player in Serie B in 2010-11. Sky Sport Italia elected him the second-best young player of the season, behind Reggina midfielder Nicolas Viola. He played 30 matches in all competitions, scoring nine goals. His best display was against Varese in the semi-final return match of the playoff, scoring two goals, the first of which was an incredible shot from distance.

Padova got to the play-off final this year after being in the play-out last year, which speaks of good progress. How much of that was down to El Shaarawy?

He was one of the key players for Padova this year. He spent three months out with injury from October to January and when he returned to the pitch he was decisive in many games. In the play-off final he didn't shine as much and maybe this is why Padova did not reach Serie A, although he was replaced earlier in the second-leg due to a sending-off in defence.
EL SHAARAWY'S CAREER SO FAR
Genoa
2008-09
2009-10

Padova
2010-11

Italy U-16
Italy U-17
Italy U-18
Italy U-19

He hasn't scored many goals for an attacker, why is that?

He's not a striker as such, but an offensive midfielder who loves to start on the left and cut inside to shoot with his right foot. He's a dribbler who will normally assist more than he scores, and let's be honest, nine goals for an 18-year-old is not a bad return.
He has played as a left attacker in Padova's 4-3-3/3-4-3 for most of this season. Where is his best position, and how might he fit into the Milan team?

He said a few days ago that he prefers to play starting as a left attacker and not as a central offensive midfielder because on the left side he has a better view of the game and doesn’t have to play with his back to goal. Milan don’t really cater for such a role in their 4-3-1-2, but Stephan will play as an offensive midfielder because Allegri thinks he has the physical and technical skills for this position.

Wouldn't he have been better off playing for Genoa for a year first given his lack of Serie A experience?

In my opinion he would have got many more minutes playing for Genoa, but Milan seem to believe in his qualities and Allegri is a coach who has the bravery to bet on young players.

Does he have any particular weaknesses?

He is still very young and he lacks experience. That is his main weakness. He also tends to try spectacular passes too often and sometimes overdoes it with his dribbling.

Which player would you say he reminds you most of?

He's been compared to Kaka and Hamsik for his speed and technique – and, in the case of the Slovakian, for his haircut! In my opinion he looks like a little Javier Pastore, due to his touch on the ball, even if he is quicker than the Palermo player.

[il_diavolo_mtl]

talian champions AC Milan are on the verge of agreeing a co-ownership deal with Genoa for their rising star Stephan El Shaarawy, the 18-year-old attacker who took Serie B by storm in 2010-11 during his loan spell with play-off finalists Padova.

The Italian youngster, whose surname comes from his Egyptian heritage, has caused a stir at youth international level in his appearances from under-16 to under-19, and added regular senior football to his CV over the past season with the Biancorossi.

His performances have moved Milan to make an approach, and they are set to use El Shaarawy as a first-team squad member in 2011-12. It will be a huge step up for the player, giving him his first taste of football for a top level club. It shouldn't faze him too much though, given that he made his Serie A debut with Genoa when still just 16.

So for those Milan and Azzurri fans wondering exactly what all the fuss is about, and not knowing what to expect of El Shaarawy next season, we asked Goal.com Italy's Simone Gambino to give us the full rundown on the Savona-born player.

What has his performance level been like over the last season?

He was the best player in Serie B in 2010-11. Sky Sport Italia elected him the second-best young player of the season, behind Reggina midfielder Nicolas Viola. He played 30 matches in all competitions, scoring nine goals. His best display was against Varese in the semi-final return match of the playoff, scoring two goals, the first of which was an incredible shot from distance.

Padova got to the play-off final this year after being in the play-out last year, which speaks of good progress. How much of that was down to El Shaarawy?

He was one of the key players for Padova this year. He spent three months out with injury from October to January and when he returned to the pitch he was decisive in many games. In the play-off final he didn't shine as much and maybe this is why Padova did not reach Serie A, although he was replaced earlier in the second-leg due to a sending-off in defence.
EL SHAARAWY'S CAREER SO FAR
Genoa
2008-09
2009-10

Padova
2010-11

Italy U-16
Italy U-17
Italy U-18
Italy U-19

He hasn't scored many goals for an attacker, why is that?

He's not a striker as such, but an offensive midfielder who loves to start on the left and cut inside to shoot with his right foot. He's a dribbler who will normally assist more than he scores, and let's be honest, nine goals for an 18-year-old is not a bad return.
He has played as a left attacker in Padova's 4-3-3/3-4-3 for most of this season. Where is his best position, and how might he fit into the Milan team?

He said a few days ago that he prefers to play starting as a left attacker and not as a central offensive midfielder because on the left side he has a better view of the game and doesn’t have to play with his back to goal. Milan don’t really cater for such a role in their 4-3-1-2, but Stephan will play as an offensive midfielder because Allegri thinks he has the physical and technical skills for this position.

Wouldn't he have been better off playing for Genoa for a year first given his lack of Serie A experience?

In my opinion he would have got many more minutes playing for Genoa, but Milan seem to believe in his qualities and Allegri is a coach who has the bravery to bet on young players.

Does he have any particular weaknesses?

He is still very young and he lacks experience. That is his main weakness. He also tends to try spectacular passes too often and sometimes overdoes it with his dribbling.

Which player would you say he reminds you most of?

He's been compared to Kaka and Hamsik for his speed and technique – and, in the case of the Slovakian, for his haircut! In my opinion he looks like a little Javier Pastore, due to his touch on the ball, even if he is quicker than the Palermo player.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) yes?

[Bluesummers]

Yeah hes def one of the big upcoming prospects forsure. We have a few good prospects now.

our best imo are in this order:

1) El Shaarawy
2) Merkel
3) Strasser
4) Fossatti
5) Baretta

[acid911]

Don't forget the new Brazilian CB we signed a few months back, Blue. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Quite similar to Thiago Silva I heard.

[Bluesummers]

Don't forget the new Brazilian CB we signed a few months back, Blue. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Quite similar to Thiago Silva I heard.

Oh yeah Ely. He's quite good aswell. We have too many prospects now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[acid911]

We have too many prospects now

Not too many, I say. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif) To be honest, I quite like the new approach and faith the management is showing in the youngsters. Get them cheap and integrate them into the first XI in due time. Last I checked we bought no less than 12 youth players last season from all around the globe.

Really good stuff, Galliani. Real good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Fingers crossed a whole bunch of them make through.

[Dzeko]

We are after Nasri...

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n...ex.php%3Fc%3D46

I would love to see Nasri at Milan!!!

[Guest_Yolando Calderaro_*]

Yeah, I also want to see Nasri, I'm a big fan of him! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[il_diavolo_mtl]

Yeah, I also want to see Nasri, I'm a big fan of him! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

yo tambien