Siempre Milanista

It has been a good week for Milan. Two successive wins, two clean sheets, some good performances from the new recruits (Taiwo, Nocerino and Aquilani), Ibrahimovic insisting he is happy (and scoring), Boateng scoring a goal and saying he loves everything (about Milan) and then to cap it all off, Barcelona target Thiago Silva stating he wants to stay at the San Siro and become il capitano futuro.

Just when you thought things could not get any better, they did. Our most promising youngster, Stephen El Sharaawy, has stated at just the age of 18 that he wants to stay with Milan ‘forever’.

Speaking to Goal.com, the Italo-Egyptian said, “If I must be honest, I would like to stay at Milan forever and not go abroad. After all, I’ve always had a soft spot for Milan, beginning when I was young.”

The number 92 then went on to reveal that Kaka was his role model. For a young footballer today, there are few better role models than our former talisman.

The Brazilian is a picture of professionalism and moral behaviour perhaps thanks largely to his fear of God.

“Kaka was my role model, and thus I place Milan before everything,” El Sharaawy said.

El Sharaawy’s words evidence a great level of maturity for someone so young. Asked about Max Allegri’s decision to not pick him for the Champions League squad, he measuredly responded, “These are the choices of the coach and must be accepted. I’m young, I will have other opportunities. I must think of doing well with Milan when I have the chance.”

The former Genoa play did reveal his admiration for the Premier League before insisting he wants to be a Milanista for life.

“Personally, I really like the English game. Many people always tell me that I have the characteristics to play in the Premier League. Honestly, I like it a lot, both in terms of environment and football.”

Talking of the national team, El Sharaawy revealed about how he was approached by the Egyptian football association.

“To tell you the truth, there was the possibility of playing with Egypt. The Egyptian federation was looking for me but I always thought of only the Azzurri shirt, and thus I gently declined the offer. If I had played even a single game with Egypt, I would not have been able to wear the jersey of Italy and thus I preferred to let it go.”

A good choice in the end, after all he did learn his trade on the peninsula.

He displayed his diplomatic skills that are beyond his years when asked about firebrand Mario Balotelli.

“Sure, I am a timid guy and he’s (Mario Balotelli) more extroverted.”

I have to say, if I were a coach I would ban silly haircuts like those sported by Mario and El Sharaawy. Unfortunately, the starlet is not thinking of changing his hairdresser anytime soon.

“Do not joke about the spikes [laughs]. It was done by Salvo, my hairdresser from Arenzano, a town in Genoa close to my house. He’s been my hairdresser of choice for three years, and I would not change him for anything in the world.”