Former Padova coach Alessandro Dal Canto is thrilled for AC Milan attacker Stephan El Shaarawy over this season's impact.

The youngster spent the 2010-11 season on loan at Padova from Genoa and he wasted no time in proving himself.

"I knew that I was dealing with a future champion after just a few training sessions," Dal Canto said. "He sees things on the pitch a lot quicker than most others.

"He was such a good player that he discovered himself and I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to train him."

The Italian Under-21 international has rippled the net with consistency this term in only his second season at San Siro.

"I'm happy for him," added the former defender. "Because he not only has great technical qualities, he's also a great guy off the field of play.

"He has time on his side and he is proving that he can be a protagonist even at a club like Milan who are made up of great players.

"His best role? I think that he prefers to start wide on the left in attack."