Italy's Next Baggio El Shaarawy Ready for World Cup

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Italy's Next Baggio El Shaarawy Ready for World Cup

Italy’s chances of winning the 2014 World Cup have been given a huge boost after young starlet Stephan El Shaarawy claimed his mind is set on one thing for the next two years: “The World Cup is my objective.”

The Milan sensation rekindled the bravado of previous Italy strikers when speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport recently and despite just turning 20 is hoping to earn a starting place in the national side very soon.

“My objective is the World Cup, but there is the Under-21 European Championship before that,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport. “That’s important to me too.

“I’m very grateful to [Italy manager Cesare] Prandelli for throwing me in at such a delicate moment.”

Indeed, El Shaarawy is right to be hopeful of a full-time place in the Italy first team after impressing in his second season for Milan. The £7.5m frontman has already netted seven in 12 for the stuttering club this Serie A campaign and has fast become Milan’s main goalscoring threat as they struggle to find an adequate replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

However, the way things are going for El Shaarawy, the Rossoneri should not be concerned about their lack of firepower up front. The youngster has now fortified his place in the Milan forward line and his bravado and ‘cheeky’ temper on the field is reminiscent of a young Roberto Baggio.

Granted, El Shaarawy is still a long way off the heights Baggio reached during the ‘90s but his clever footballing brain has drawn plaudits among punters on Betfair football.

Given the chance to shine at the U-21 European Championships next summer, El Shaarawy will prove just how valuable he could be to Italy during the next World Cup.

If he keeps his head down and continues to work hard for a struggling club side, El Shaarawy may not only make Brazil in 2014 but help his side lift the trophy.