Rumour: Liverpool linked with Stephen El Shaarawy

Stephan El Shaarawy

Once in a while, a player pushes through a youth system and makes a name for themselves, exciting the footballing world while they’re at it. Stephen El Shaarawy was that player not too long ago. He burst onto the scene at AC Milan after signing from Genoa in 2011. With his wacky hair and quick feet, he soon became a household name in Serie A and an automatic starter for the Rossoneri.

However, this season, he’s been missing through injury and has only played the opening two league games for Milan. According to the Daily Star, Liverpool are interested in acquiring the services of the young Italian who, last season, scored 16 goals in 37 appearances.

Stephan El Shaarawy – Goals Scored

Throughout last season, he was Milan’s most creative player, assisting four goals on his way to creating 56 chances – 6 more than second-placed Kevin-Prince Boateng.

AC Milan’s most creative players this season

There are rumours circulating that Liverpool will swoop in on El Shaarawy if he longs for the exit door at Milan. Reports suggest he has been frozen out by Massimo Allegri, but they are false. The Italian is actually injured and has been suffering from niggling injuries since the start of the season.

Despite this, Brendan Rodgers may still attempt to sign the forward who made his debut for Milan in 2011.

El Shaarawy, known for his flamboyant hair and pacey style of play, completed last season with 66% shot accuracy having hit 48 shots on target and 25 shots off. That was the joint-best percentage, with Mario Balotelli, at AC Milan last season.

The forward was also the highest point-scorer in Squawka’s Performance Score, nearly 100 points clear of Riccardo Montolivo.

However talented he may be, he has failed to score in Serie A since February which may be a worry for Rodgers. But he seems to target players with plenty of talent who fall out of form that he can work with closely to regain that form; Daniel Sturridge the prime example.

He did score 14 in the first half of last season, though, so his ability is clearly there and that could be something that attracts Rodgers.

There are two issues connected to any possible deal, though. The first is the price-tag that Milan will demand for El Shaarawy, with many expecting it to tip £25 million. That sort of money for an out-of-form, injury-plagued player is a big risk and something which may persuade Rodgers to stay away.

The second issue is his position. El Shaarawy is used to playing as a wide forward, much in a the same mould as Neymar, and the system Liverpool use would not use him well. Rodgers did play a front three last season but now with Philippe Coutinho holding down a central role behind the two strikers, it would be hard to see where El Shaarawy would fit in. If Rodgers was to adopt his 4-3-3 formation and use Coutinho at the point of a three-man midfield, it could work as he can still use Sturridge and Suarez as well as bring El Shaarawy into the side in his favoured position.

If Rodgers can utilise him and switch his system to effectively allow all four of those attacking players to flourish then signing El Shaarawy could be a very good idea.

??Football graphics and stats from Squawka???