Stephan El Shaarawy: Milan's saviour?

In a so far frustrating season both on and off the pitch, the emergence of Stephan El Shaarawy has been one of the few things Milan fans have had to get excited about. Now with the versatile 20 year old, who can play in central midfield as well as in attack, improving seemingly game by game, one wonders just how far this exciting young talent can go.

 

The journey of Stephan El Shaarawy began in the town of Savona, where he was born to an Egyptian father (hence the name despite El Shaarawy playing for Italy) and an Italian mother. He had only just turned 16 when he made his debut for Genoa in the 2008/09 season, but he didn't truly arrive on the scene until he joined Serie B side Padova on loan for the 2010/11 season. The youngster's exciting performances helped the normally mid-table side finish in 5th place and only a few play-off wins off a place in Serie A.

 

Such excellent performances didn't go unnoticed as the mighty AC Milan sprung a surprise and took El Shaarawy off Genoa. His first season with the Rossoneri went better than many expected, with El Shaarawy, who had also been playing with Italy's U-21 side at points in the season, making 28 appearances in all competitions throughout the season.

 

But this season has undisputedly been El Shaarawy's breakout year. His international debut for Italy's senior squad came in August and he has had a superb start to the season, looking immensely sharp and lightning quick. Having played in 11 of Milan's 12 competitive games so far, El Shaarawy has consolidated his place in Milan's starting eleven, while his impressive scoring record of 6 goals, including one against Zenit St. Petersburg in the champions league have helped to increase the level of excitement around the young maestro. His dribbling ability and pace means he is rapidly becoming one of Europe's most feared attacking players and he has added a much needed dose of vibrancy to the Milan squad, with Nigel De Jong , Robinho and Kevin Prince Boateng not really offering any energy to the Milan midfield.

 

I am certainly predicting great things for Stephan El Shaarawy as at times this season he has looked absolutely unstoppable at times, and he has only just turned 20. One would think his levels of strength would improve and if it does he could be the complete package. Additionally, with both AC Milan and the Italian national team in a period of transition, I believe El Shaarawy with his lightning pace and top drawer technical ability can inspire and lead both his national and his club sides into further glory down the road. Then again, although Milan are still a major club around the world, their books still need balancing. The summer sales of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG were out of a desperate need to, not simply to get a few million to add to their transfer fund. There are worries in Milan that if El Shaarawy continues to improve, eventually a super-rich club such as Manchester City or PSG could make Milan an offer they won't be able to refuse. However, for now the striker remains property of AC Milan and with his help he could be the man who leads the Rossoneri into a glorious future.

UEFA champions league game by game match day 3 preview

Group A

Porto v Dynamo Kiev

After a huge win at home to PSG in their most recent champions league encounter, Porto will host the Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev hoping to make it nine points from nine. However, Dynamo Kiev will be looking to take all three points after they lost to PSG in match day one 4-1. Their win at home to Dinamo Zagreb last time out will give the Ukrainian side hope, but to get something from this game will be the desire of their coach Oleh Blokin.

Key clash: João Moutinho v Miguel Veloso

Dinamo Zagreb v PSG

Super rich Paris Saint Germain's second away game in Europe this season will take them to Zagreb as the face Croatian champions, Zagreb. PSG haven't won away in the champions league since 1998, but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi in their ranks, they'll expect to get all three points and recover from their disappointing 1-0 loss against Porto last time out. Zagreb will have to get a result here, having lost both their opening games.

Key clash: Josip Simunic v Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Group B Arsenal v Schalke 04

When the champions league group stage draw was conducted, many expected these two teams to comfortably progress to the knockout stages. However after Schalke's disappointing 2-2 draw against Montpellier, the group is looking quite tight. After Schalke's 2-1 win away at Dortmund this past weekend, and Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Norwich, this game could be an unpredictable one. Expect fireworks

Key clash: Oliver Giroud v Benedikt Höwedes

Montpellier v Olympiakos

With two games gone both these sides have work to do if they want to progress to the round of 16. Montpellier's 2-2 draw away at Schalke however has given the French champions hope, especially considering how well they played against Arsenal in a 2-1 loss first time out. With both teams looking to win, this should be an interesting one.

Key clash: Konstantinos Mitroglou v V. Hilton

Malaga v AC Milan

An emphatic 3-0 destruction of Zenit St Petersburg on match day one surprised many at just how good Malaga can be. Away at Anderlecht, Malaga put in another solid performance winning 2-0 leading to many calling them favourites to get through group C. European giants AC Milan currently have 4 points and are slowly improving after a poor start to their Serie A campaign. With the exciting Malaga side hosting the experienced and adjusting Milan side this game could well be one of the best of match day three.

Key clash: Martin Demechelis v Robinho

Zenit St. Petersburg v Anderlecht

Pre match day one, there was a certain level of expectation surrounding Zenit St. Petersburg, heightened by their signing of powerful Brazilian striker Hulk. But with the Russian champions having  lost both their champions league games this season, this game at home to Anderlecht is essentially a must win. The Belgian champions got an impressive 0-0 draw at the San Siro first time out but lost at home to Malaga, meaning they'll need to try and win this.

Key clash: Hulk v Cheikhou Kouyaté

Group D

Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

An excellent and fearless away performance away at Manchester City mean Borussia Dortmund will be going into this fixture with plenty of encouragement about their champions league hopes. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are now back to their best after a slow start to their La Liga campaign. They have won both their champions league fixtures so far too so they are in a great position to qualify from the "group of death". With Dortmund being the German champions and Real Madrid being the Spanish champions, this is a dream match that I'm personally very excited about.

Key clash: Mario Götze v Sami Khedira

Ajax v Manchester City

The always united and determined Ajax will represent a tough challenge for the premier league champions as they travel to Amsterdam needing three points to get their so far disappointing champions league campaign. Having lost both of their games so far, the Dutch champions are also needing a win or it could be a swift exit for Ajax.

Key clash: Christian Eriksen v Vincent Kompany

Group E

Shakhtar Donetsk v Chelsea

In form Chelsea will travel to Donetsk on Tuesday night in what will be a tricky game in the hostile Donbass arena. Both sides drew to have already drawn to Juventus and beat Nordsjaelland in their other group E games, but only one of the teams will be able to be on seven points at the end of the game. Shakhtar's Brazilian striker Willian allegedly nearly joined Chelsea both last summer and this, so many will be watching how he plays.

Key clash: Willian v John Terry.

Nordsjaelland v Juventus

Despite losing both of their champions league games so far, Nordsjaelland have impressed many with their passing moves and Juventus should expect a tough game at the Parken stadium on Tuesday night. The Danish side haven't yet scored a champions league goal, but they'll be determined to change that against the old lady. However, Juventus will be determined to get their first champions league win this season in what should be an interesting game.

Key clash: Jores Okore v Sebastian Giovinco

Group F

Lille v Bayern Munich

A shock 3-1 defeat against BATE Borisov last time out means Bayern Munich will need a result away at Lille to be in a strong position going into the next game. However, last season's runners up have had a superb start to the season domestically, winning all of their eight games played so far. Lille will be desperate for a win themselves though as a defeat would leave them on zero points after three games and essentially out of the competition.

Key clash:

Mathieu Debuchy v Arjen Robben

BATE Borisov v Valencia

Arguably more than any other team in the competition, BATE Borisov have shocked many by their performances in the champions league. With a team that is very similar to that of the Belarusian national team, BATE have won both of their champions league games so far by three goals to one, firstly against Lille then even more impressively against Bayern. Valencia currently sit on three points after losing 2-1 away in Munich, but 2-0 against Lille at the Mestalla. A win for BATE would put them on nine points and excitingly close to progressing to the knockout stages. Valencia are always dangerous however, so it won't be easy.

Key clash: Alexander Hleb v Fernando Gago

Group G

Barcelona v Celtic

Although both clubs are amongst the most famous and recognisable in world football, many people are fearing for Celtic as they travel to Spain to face the Catalan giants. If they are to take something from the game, Celtic will need to take advantage of a shaky Barcelona defence which conceded 4 in a 5-4 victory away at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday. Barcelona are expected to win, and win emphatically but Celtic should not be underestimated after their 3-2 win against Spartak Moscow in match day 2.

Key clash: Cesc Fabregas v Victor Wanyama

Spartak Moscow v Benfica

Neither of these two sides have had the best of starts to their champions league campaigns but for different reasons. Spartak Moscow lost to both Celtic and Barcelona 3-2, showing evidence of a leaky defence. On the other hand, Benfica are yet to score in the champions league, and they were beaten comfortably 2-0 by Barcelona last time out.

Group H

Manchester United v Braga

Although they are one of only seven sides to have won both of their champions league fixtures so far, Manchester United are yet to have hit their best form in Europe this season. The visit of Braga on Tuesday will represent a tough challenge for the Red Devils, as it did for Galatasaray three weeks ago, when Braga won 2-0 thanks to goals by Ruben Micael and Alan. As United will remember from last year's horrible champions league campaign: underestimating lesser opposition could cost teams dear.

Key clash: Jonny Evans v Éder

Galatasaray v CFR Cluj

Galatasaray have had a disappointing start to their champions league campaign, losing both of their two games played so far, 1-0 to Manchester United and more surprisingly 2-0 at home to Braga. Romanian side Cluj have had a decent start, however, winning 2-0 away at Braga and giving Manchester United a very difficult game in what turned out to be a 2-1 loss. For Galatasaray, a loss would be disastrous, and a win is needed. After their last champions league away result, Cluj will be full of confidence, but can they thrive in the immensely intimidating Türk Telecom arena?

Key clash: Aldin Yilmaz v Ivo Pirlo.

EPL: How have the newly promoted teams faired so far?

When Southampton, Reading and West Ham respectively got promoted to the premier league all three clubs knew that they would have a battle on their hands if they wanted to stay in the "big time". Speculation surrounded all three clubs, would they be like the Derby of 2007/2008, who endured an absolutely torrid season or would they, be more like the Swansea of last season and impress those who doubted them. Now with seven games into the season, (or in Reading's case six) it is now time to judge how well each promoted team has started.

Southampton

Although they currently sit fourth from bottom, elements of Southampton’s game have impressed many people in the footballing world.

They've gone on the offensive in virtually every single game so far, with players such as Jason Puncheon, Ricky Lambert and Jay Rodriquez all performing impressively. However, their defence has let them down, having conceded twenty goals already this season. Southampton have already played both of last season's top two, Manchester City and Manchester United, losing 3-2 against both sides, both due to late goals after the Saints led. In many ways, these matches have summarised Southampton's start, plenty of attacking intent and prowess, but defensively, far too weak.  Their matches have proved to be entertaining, but with such a leaky defence, Southampton's first premier league campaign in seven years, could be very brief indeed.

Reading

Brian McDermott's side are currently one of only three sides who are currently winless in this season's premier league campaign so far. However, three draws against Stoke, Newcastle and most recently Swansea have given the Royals some hope. Before the season, many pundits believed that one thing Reading needed to do if they wanted to stay up was to make the Madjeski stadium a fortress. So far, although they are yet to win a game, only Tottenham Hotspur have won at the Madjeski, while Reading themselves have managed to score a respectable four in three games there, and eight in their six premier league matches, including two away at Chelsea, in an eventual 4-2 defeat. With Pavel Pogrebnyak already having four goals to his name so far this season, it shouldn't be too long before Reading break their winless streak, and when they do they could very well do more than simply stay up.

West Ham

Out of all three of the promoted sides, the hammers are arguably best equipped to deal with the top flight due to the wealth of premier league experience in the squad. Now having played seven games, the East London side have looked generally good upon their return to the league they were relegated from just two seasons ago. The loan signing of Andy Carroll from Liverpool has looked to be a good choice, with Carroll impressing on his debut against Fulham, rekindling his relationship from his Newcastle days with Kevin Nolan. Although they have showed signs of defensive frailties, particularly in their 3-0 loss away at Swansea where James Collins and James Tomkins were run ragged by the Swansea attack, the hammers fans will generally be pleased with their side's performances and results this season. Now with Andy Carroll back fully fit, and Mohammed Diame, Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble all looking industrious in central midfield, I see no reason why West Ham can't finish well clear above the relegation zone this season. 

2012/13 UEFA Champions league predictions

The beginning of the 2012/13 UEFA champions’ league group stage is nearly upon us with many football fans in the world buzzing with excitement. As we head into the match day 1 fixture there are many questions on the lips of football fans across the globe. Can Chelsea become the first team in the champions league era to retain the trophy? Which teams will progress from each group? Whose skills will set the football world alight? In this article, I'll be giving my thoughts on various aspects of this season's UEFA champions league.

Favourites- Real Madrid

Ever since Jose Mourinho became the real Madrid manager back in the summer of 2010, many pundits and fans have been predicting the Spanish champions to win Europe's biggest prize. Now in previous years, I personally haven't predicted Madrid to win the tournament, but this year I think it's their time. After winning la Liga for the first time since the 2006/07 season, last season that winning feeling finally returned to the Spanish capital. Now with a team strengthened by the summer signings of Luka Modric and Michael Essien, plus with the usual stars of Cristiano Ronaldo, Fabio Coentrao and Mesut Özil among others, real Madrid could well be the side that lifts the trophy at Wembley in May.

Whipping boys- FC Nordsjaelland

Although the champions league features some of the world's best teams and players, there are always a few teams who are out of their depth. In previous years, we've seen the likes of MSK Zilina, Dinamo Zagreb and Otelul Galati struggle to gain even one point and this year, I fear for Nordsjaelland, the Danish champions. Seeing as the club only came into existence in 2003, this will be Nordsjaellands first venture into European football's elite competition and in a group that features the Italian champions Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk with star striker Willian and the European champions Chelsea, it could be a swift exit for Nordsjaelland. What won't help, their cause is the fact that they'll be playing their home games at FC Copenhagen's Parken stadium, as their own is too small to reach UEFA regulations.

Dark horses-Galatasaray

After four years without winning the Turkish super Liga, finally Galatasaray won the title in May this year. A lot of this success has been attributed to the work of manager Faith Terim. With their infamous "welcome to hell" banners that greet the opposition upon arrival, their fanatical support and squad which mix youth and experience well, games against Galatasaray will be difficult for any side. In a group consisting of Manchester United, Braga and CFR Cluj, it won't be easy for the Turkish champions to progress, but if they do, they could go a long way in this tournament.

Key player: Selcuk Inan

Top scorer-Lionel Messi

Although the Argentinian didn’t win the ‘’best player in Europe’’ award for his work last season,  Lionel Messi will once again spearhead Barcelona’s attack as they set out to win their third champions league in five seasons and I believe he’ll do so while scoring more goals than anyone else. Of course, the likes of Robin Van Persie, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Gomez amongst others will be in the running for the top scorer award but Messi could well have field days against Celtic, Benfica and whoever else Barcelona face on their European campaign. 

Chelsea: Florent Malouda set to leave the Blues

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Chelsea were preparing to sell Florent Malouda, as the French winger tweeted a picture of the under-21 building at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground with the words “this is where I’ll train for my last season with the Blues”.

Now even though Malouda’s Chelsea career looks set to end in a far from ceremonious way, will he ultimately be remembered by Blues’ fans as a successful player? He began his career, like most Chelsea players do, with fairly high expectations.

The French winger cost the blues around £13 million from Lyon in 2007, but despite a goal on his debut in the Community Shield against Manchester United, Malouda struggled to make much of an impact at Stamford Bridge. The 2008/09 season was a bit better for Malouda as he scored 9 goals in 47 games, an increase from the previous season when he scored just 4 in 38 games.

However, Malouda’s best season was the one where Chelsea secured their 4th ever league title, the 2009/10 season. Malouda was electrifying at times as he played a key role in a formidable Chelsea attack which consisted of the likes of Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard all hitting some of their best form.

In the end, the campaign which also led to the side winning the FA Cup, the season was a great one for both Chelsea and Malouda. Malouda’s performances in the 2010/11 were much like Chelsea’s season in general: inconsistent. Malouda showed signs of the excellent form of his 2009/10 campaign but couldn’t maintain it.

By the end of the season, Malouda was more of a substitute than a regular starter for the Blues. In many ways, the 2011/12 was Malouda’s worst yet at the Bridge as his place was taken over by Juan Mata and many expected him to leave in the summer.

However, as we all know, he didn’t and now Chelsea have a predicament on their hands. Lyon, Malouda’s former club, are reportedly interested in the man who is still a France international.

In my opinion, Chelsea’s coercion of the player has been unnecessary and even disrespectful.

After all, Chelsea aren’t in the situation Manchester City were after Carlos Tevez refused to play for them against Bayern Munich last season, to our knowledge, Malouda does still want to play for Chelsea.

Also, I believe Malouda’s experience and versatility can still benefit the club, even more so now due to the departure of Raul Meireles.

In my opinion, Chelsea should have kept Malouda until January and then sell him. Making him play with the reserves doesn’t benefit anyone, particularly not Malouda who now surely feels like some sort of outcast.

How far can QPR go this season?

A significant proportion of the 2012 summer transfer window deadline day was spent with football fans talking about QPR's new signings. So with so many well respected and recognised talent in their current squad, I think QPR ought to be aiming higher than to merely survive in the premier league this season.

Admittedly, QPR's start to the 2012-13 season has been far from perfect. A catastrophic 5-0 opening day defeat at the hands of Swansea city left many hoops fans feeling very concerned about the season ahead. The week after wasn't as bad as a Bobby Zamora goal earned a respectable point away at Norwich.

September began with a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City but Mark Hughes would have been proud of the way his players remained positive and managed to equalize whilst the score was at 1-0. Also, many of the west London side's new signings were unable to play. So how about these new signings, and where will they fit in? Will they improve QPR's position in the league? In this article, I will be discussing where the west Londoners go from here.

In goal, many thought Robert Green, who arrived from West Ham earlier in the summer, would be the number one. However, just over a week after Green's terrible performance against Swansea, QPR confirmed the arrival of Julio Cesar from Internazionale. Sadly for Rob Green, I think it would be ludicrous for Mark Hughes to leave the former champions league winner Cesar out of the starting eleven.

Surprisingly, the only central defender QPR bought in over the summer was Ryan Nelsen, which was surprising considering the defence was widely considered to be the reason QPR only survived by the skin of their teeth last season. Another player that has been brought in is former Chelsea right back Jose Bosingwa who looks set to be one of QPR's most regular features this season.

As for midfield, the squad will in my opinion gain a player with sheer class in former Real Madrid man, Esteban Granero. Granero made his hoops debut against Man City and looked decent on the few occasions when QPR were on the attack. Potentially, he and Alejandro Faurlin could form an excellent technical central midfield partnership for the club. Another new signing who could help feature heavily in the centre of QPR's midfield is Stephane M'Bia who joined the hoops on a two year deal from Marseille with QPR's disgraced former captain Joey Barton joining the French club on loan. M'Bia may also play at centre back though so it's difficult to predict how much he'll play in central midfield.

One of the biggest team selection dilemmas manager Mark Hughes will have to face this season will be who will be the hoops first choice striker. Amongst the contenders are Bobby Zamora, Jamie Mackie, Andy Johnson and Djibril Cisse. Both Zamora and Johnson started against Manchester city but with so many central midfield options and talented wingers which include Shaun Wright-Phillips, Junior Hoilett and new club captain Ji Sung Park, it's quite possible that Hughes will choose to start only one striker at the majority of QPR's games this season.

Below is the line-up I'd choose if I was Mark Hughes presuming every squad member was fit (4-5-1)

Julio Cesar

Jose Bosingwa

Anton Ferdinand

Ryan Nelsen

Fabio da Silva

Ji Sung Park

Esteban Granero

Stephane M'Bia

Alejandro Faurlin

Junior Hoilett

Bobby Zamora

So how far can this team go? Due to their team that includes numerous highly decorated players, I think it would be safe to presume many of QPR's players will be aiming for a mid table place. However, due to some suicidal defending at times, I think the 2012/13 season maybe one with some considerable difficulty for QPR. So I think a 14th place finish will have to do for the fans of the hoops. However, once the squad gels, which shouldn't take long QPR can be expected to hit their stride and should improve each season. It may be a slow process but QPR should look to become a solid premier league side sooner rather than later.

Scottish football: where next?

Sunday July the 29th will be a day that lives long in the memory for Rangers fans as it was the first match that the club played under their new name Rangers Newco. Playing against Brechin city was a unique experience for Rangers fans as they took up approximately 75% of the stadium which held just over 3000 people. So with its most decorated club in the third division can Scottish football survive in its current state?

Now despite the whole Rangers situation only being big news for two or three months, it is hard to deny that Scottish football was on a state of decline before that. Long gone are the days of the likes of Rangers and Celtic being amongst the most feared names in world football like they were in the 1960's with Celtic winning the European cup in 1967. For example last season, Rangers were eliminated before they could even get to the group stage and Celtic went out of the Europa league at the group stage.

For many years now Scottish football has been widely considered as a "two club league" meaning Rangers and Celtic. In fact, the last time the top Scottish league was won by a team other than Rangers or Celtic was in the 1984/85 season when Sir Alex Ferguson guided his Aberdeen side to the title. Last season, despite Rangers being deducted 10 points by the SFA as a result of them going into administration, the gap between 2nd place Rangers and 3rd place Motherwell was still 11 points highlighting the difference in class between Scottish football's elite and those who want to be in the same breath as the traditional powers that are Celtic and Rangers. If past years are anything to go by, this season could see a huge difference in points tallies between 1st place (presumably Celtic) and 2nd place which many are predicting will be one of Motherwell, Dundee United and Hearts.

Not only do they make the title race very interesting but the SPL have now lost the old firm derby between Rangers and Celtic. Celtic have a large Catholic fan base while Rangers have a predominantly Protestant fan base. Because of these factors, the derbies are often fierce with even death threats being sent to the Celtic manager Neil Lennon before the derby in 2011. For many, the old firm derby is the only Scottish league match they watch and the viewing figures for the match are tremendously higher than any other Scottish league match. Without this game, it is likely that the Scottish premier league will struggle to attract tv networks and sponsors which could provide a big blow to an already struggling league. Rangers couldn't cope even with a decent amount of income, how will others cope without it?

So without its joint biggest name, can the SPL keep up a solid number of viewers? Many have already said that due to Celtic's squad strength in comparison to all the other teams in the league, that they won't be watching any of the SPL this season. Also, with Rangers still possessing the likes of Lee Mcculoch and Kirk Broadfoot in the ranks, many are predicting Rangers will romp to the third division title which could undermine the other clubs in the league. However, some light has been shed. Sky sports, the British channel have agreed to show some Rangers third division matches as well as many SPL games. Depending on the financial situation of many Scottish clubs across the league, the future of Scottish football could change drastically.