Serie A: Keeping Stephan El Shaarawy Will Help Milan Shift Power Balance

Just six months ago, Milan vice president Adriano Galliani talked up the idea of Stephan El Shaarawy and Mario Balotelli being the future of both the Rossoneri and Italy.

While "Super Mario" had already established himself as a key figure on the international stage, his 20-year-old teammate was working toward becoming a symbol of the new Milan.

His rapid ascent to fan favourite following a blistering start to the season had him labelled as one of the most promising talents across Europe, and Balotelli's arrival would only further strengthen his position for both club and country.

However, the exact opposite occurred.

El Shaarawy struggled during the second half of the campaign, with fatigue undoubtedly catching up with him having played almost every game prior to the winter break.

In contrast, Balotelli became the focal point for both Massimiliano Allegri and Cesare Prandelli and reveled in his new-found responsibility as being the main man for his boyhood club.

Critics suggested that the duo were incompatible, that by installing Balotelli as the reference point in attack, it sacrificed all the positive things that his compatriot thrived upon as his threat was nullified on the left wing as opponents became accustomed to his movements and ideas.

As a result, speculation had suggested that a departure was imminent, while La Gazzetta dello Sport (via 101greatgoals) claimed newly appointed Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had his eyes on Milan's precocious talent.

However, it is vital that the Rossoneri don't lose sight of the raw talent that El Shaarawy demonstrated throughout his most productive spell at the club to date.

It is clear that the coaching staff at Milanello will need to work with him on improving various facets of his game to make him more unpredictable. However, coupled with a summer break to recharge his batteries and work in preseason to build the on-field chemistry with Balotelli, there is no reason to break up what was once deemed as one of the most exciting partnerships in Europe.

After selling both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva last summer, the Milan hierarchy claimed that the club's finances were now in order and that they would no longer have to sell in order to balance the books.

If anything, they have made further strides over the course of the past year to further improve their financial situation, so despite Galliani's revelation that every player has their price, it is time Milan showed faith in their player and rebuffed the financial appeal of selling.

Given the opportunity to develop further and mature at Milan, El Shaarawy has the ability to help the club shift the balance of power in Italy away from Juventus. It will be fascinating to see how he responds to the tactical change next year as the trequartista role is reintroduced at the club, but there should still certainly be a future at San Siro for the talented youngster.