Why Stephan El Shaarawy Is AC Milan’s Most Important Player This Season

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Milan’s hopes for a return to glory lie primarily on the young, talented shoulders of Stephan El Shaarawy.

The winger affectionately known as “the Pharaoh” was the most important player for the squad only two seasons ago, when he managed to score 16 goals in Serie A as a teenager and really cemented his name in European football.

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El Shaarawy goes into this season with renewed hope after spending all of last year on the treatment table. After being hampered by injuries, he made a full recovery during the summer and has looked sharp in both the preseason and the first match of the new campaign. In that match against Lazio, he assisted Milan’s first goal, in what was ultimately a 3-1 victory for the Rossoneri.

The way he blew past Lazio’s defense and played in a perfectly timed low cross with the outside of the boot was a flashback to his near world-class form from two seasons ago.

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These types of performances are enough to give Milan a three-point swing, as El Shaarawy is easily the most dynamic player on Milan who can take on his defender on a one-on-one dribble.

El Shaarawy is the type of player that becomes a favorite of a coach. His excellent work rate on the defensive end helps the team plenty, and he is deadly on the counterattack where he can set up teammates as well as curl in a clever finish.

Oftentimes, he’ll wind up near his own defense in an attempt to dispossess the other team and reignite a counterattack for Milan.

El Shaarawy’s versatility as well as his selflessness will be key factors for the squad, assuming he stays healthy. More importantly, the 21-year-old is very much a player that the team has to depend on in the future who will only continue to grow with experience. 

The major issue is whether the midfield will feed him with the type of accurate long balls that he can take in stride as he’s darting down the flanks.

New additions, such as Giacomo Bonaventura and Marco van Ginkel, should help the creative aspect of the team in the center of the park. Bonaventura especially is the type of player who likes to make forward runs into the channels and take a shot on goal.

Also, El Shaarawy’s combination play from the first minute with Fernando Torres will only improve, and the two could have a mutually beneficial relationship by providing clever assists and triangles to break down the defense. 

In the end, El Shaarawy will be Milan’s most vital player and one of the main factors in pushing them to get back in the Champions League.