Thursday 9 June 2011
Blog: The rise of the Little Pharaoh
Linked with Milan and Inter, monitored by clubs in Spain and England, Stephan El Shaarawy is a wanted man. But who is he? Antonio Labbate explains
There was a general air of pessimism around the Italian national side last October. The painful memories of South Africa 2010 were still at the forefront of the nation’s consciousness and Italy boss Cesare Prandelli admitted that the talent pool, containing the Azzurri stars of tomorrow, was small to say the least.
Genoa chief Enrico Preziosi didn’t totally agree. With a Mediaset microphone thrust into his face, he was asked whether there were any new Mario Balotellis coming through the Italian game. With no hesitation he responded with two names – Andrea Ranocchia and Stephan El Shaarawy. “They are ready for the national side right now,” he claimed.
While few argued with the nomination of Ranocchia, the Marassi chief’s acclamation of El Shaarawy was a little premature, seeing as he had sent the 17-year-old out on loan to Serie B outfit Padova just a few months previously. Good enough for Italy, but not good enough for Genoa?
Nine months later and Preziosi’s confidence has been rewarded. Ranocchia has become an international regular and joined Inter in January, while young Stephan, although not quite ready for Italy, is now seeing his name linked with the two Milan clubs after excelling in the Second Division.
El Shaarawy was born in Savona in 1992 to an Italian mother and an Egyptian father. Blessed with a natural flair on the ball, he caught the eye of Michele Sbravati, the head of Genoa’s youth sector, at the age of only 11. Just five years later he made his Serie A debut, becoming the club’s youngest ever top-flight player.
“He’d only just turned 16, but I was certain that I had a real talent,” stated Gian Piero Gasperini, the Coach who threw him on in the 83rd minute of Genoa’s 1-0 win at Chievo. “I knew that I had some player at my disposal from the first time I saw him control a ball. He has important qualities that he needs to take advantage of.”
The Little Pharaoh would play another two games for the Rossoblu in Serie A, before the decision to send him on loan was taken. Padova moved quickly and they were perhaps not prepared for what they got. The kit man was certainly caught out, missing a few letters from his stocks, he had to misspell the youngster’s surname on his No 92 shirt by using an I instead of a Y.
Equipped with a Marek Hamsik style haircut, the attacking midfielder, who can also play out wide or as a second striker, wasted little time in becoming a fan favourite. He dazzled in his debut for Padova during their 1-0 Coppa Italia victory against Ravenna, instantly winning the praise of Vincenzo Italiano. “He has shown that, despite his age, he has skills,” the club captain noted. “He’s a down to earth boy, he applies himself as he wants to mature and grow. I’m convinced he’ll do well.”
The former Chievo player was not wrong. Despite picking up an injury which ruled him out for part of the season, El Shaarawy helped inspired Padova into the play-offs with nine goals from 27 games. He also gave the home fans a glimpse of talent that they perhaps had not seen since Alessandro Del Piero left for Juventus in 1993.
Such was his impact this term that Azzurri Under-21 boss Ciro Ferrara called him up for February’s 2011 game against England – although he didn’t play – before returning him back to the Italy U-19 set-up. Full boss Prandelli has also watched him in the flesh after admitting last September that he wasn’t overly familiar with the player’s ability.
His potential was reportedly valued at €10m by Inter this week, but Preziosi has rejected the notion that El Shaarawy will be sold – even if he is also aware that Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri is watching Stephan’s development.
“We have many young players who are doing well and El Shaarawy is one of them,” Preziosi noted of the kid who has played for all of the Azzurri’s youth sides from U-16 to U-19 level. “There are some important clubs looking at him, including English and Spanish, but he is not for sale. He is our future.” And possibly Italy’s too…
worthy.
ITALIAN 
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