Leicester City Opinion: Why the Foxes must go for Stephan El Shaarawy?
According to a report from Tuttomercatoweb, Leicester City are interested in AS Roma star Stephan El Shaarawy but they’ll face competition from West Ham.
Stephan El Shaarawy, 26, has enjoyed a solid season with AS Roma, scoring 11 goals and providing three assists in 26 Serie A games. However, the Italy international is out of contract at the Stadio Olimpico in the summer of 2020.
If the 26-year-old winger doesn’t commit his future in the Italian capital, Roma could be forced to cash in on him this summer. His availability on a knockdown price should make him a tempting prospect for the clubs across Europe, and Leicester City must do everything possible to bag his signature.
Leicester have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since the appointment of Brendan Rodgers in March. The Foxes ended the season ninth on the table, which isn’t a big achievement considering the quality the club has.
Breaking into the top-six next season has to be Rodgers’ priority and the Irishman needs to get the basics right to bridge the gap. Given Leicester already have a fantastic mix of youthful exuberance and experience, they need only a few additions here and there.
What has been most telling under Rodgers is the manner in which he quickly got the best out of the young attacking talents, whilst making Jamie Vardy firing again. In James Maddison, Demarai Gray, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho, the Midlands outfit are an exciting team going forward. Add a player with the quality and experience of El Shaarawy and the Foxes will have a devastating attack next term.
El Shaarawy is a very talented winger, noted for his creativity, skill and goalscoring ability. The 26-year-old can create chances and score goals in equal measure, and he will be able to make an instant impact at the King Power Stadium. He has excellent technical qualities, capable of spotting a runner as well as coming up with worldies.
The ex-AC Milan star primarily plays as a left-winger, a position which allows him to cut into the centre onto his stronger right foot and either go for a pop at goal or create chances for teammates. He has problems with his fitness, though, managing just 26 Serie A appearances this season.
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But on the whole, the technically-gifted El Shaarawy can win games single-handedly and Rodgers should go all out for the 26-year-old.
Verdict
Rodgers has an outstanding squad at his disposal and El Shaarawy would fit right in with the expansive, exciting brand of football Leicester now play.