Alexander Merkel: The Next Schweinsteiger?

Milan youngster Alexander Merkel is all set to become one of the tiny few German players to have had a successful stint in Italy. Jurgen Klinsmann and Oliver Biehoff, legends in their own right, were the stand out German players to have played in Italy.

The 18 year old showed tremendous promise and potential in his few outings with AC Milan which would probably have Germany boss Joachim Low take a second look at the budding midfielder.

Merkel is being touted as the next Bastian Schweinsteiger, and going by his performances for the current Serie A leaders one can see why these comparisons have been raised .

That the youngster gives the likes of Clarence Seedorf, Gennaro Gattuso, et al a run for their money in a side no less in success and pedigree as Rajinikanth is in movies speaks volumes of his can-do.

After his performances lately, the Italian press have been quick to label him a 'baby genius'. To be waiting on the benches and press for a permanent spot in a team like AC Milan, which prefers experience to youthful exuberance on most days, puts him along the likes of Kaka, Pato etc.. The duo are few of the very few who got a chance to play for Milan in their early 20 or even teens, recently atleast.

No he was not bought for a handsomne sum from another club and thrusted into the main team.. he made his way up rung by rung.. from the youth squad to now along the sidelines waiting to pounce once any golden oldies can't run anymore.

Milan's youth director Filippo Galli showers praise on the midfielder.
"Alex is very good technically, and his speed and endurance are very good," Galli told the Internet sports portal Spox. "He needs to improve a bit in making the right decisions on the pitch when he has the ball."

"His fundamentals are good, he passes well, and he's got a good sense for positional play," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told reporters after trying out the youngster in a series of test matches.

Playing with international superstars should keep Merkel in good stead for the future, and the youngster is quick to acknowledge that.
"Milan is one of the top clubs in the world, a team that has won all the titles there are and has a great tradition," Merkel said in an interview with the German Football League, the DFB. "Silvio Berlusconi comes to the grounds every once in a while, so you see him sometimes."

Being named in Goal.com's 10 Promising youngsters with the likes of Mesut Oezil and Sami Khedira is no mean feat, but for 'baby genius' life in the super league is just starting and Milan look to have sealed the services of a fantastic youngster.