Sky Sports Scout - Alexander Merkel

Sky Sports Scout is where we scour the globe looking for the best talent, next up is Alexander Merkel.

We run the rule over German starlet Alexander Merkel

Sky Sports Scout is our exciting feature where we scour the globe looking out for the best talent and bring you a report on what we find. Our Scout will report back and you can comment on what you think of our appraisal. Also, in association with Football Manager, we give all readers the chance to win a copy of the latest game by nominating a player. You can only nominate a player by emailing here, including the word 'Scout' in your subject line and please check to make sure we haven't already covered the player, you can see over 100 previous reports to the right of the page. Should your player get reviewed by our scout, and you were first to send in his name, then you will win a copy of the all new Football Manager 2011. You can also now interact with the scout via his all new Twitter feed! You can get in touch with him and interact here or just search for @skysportsscout! Latest under our scout's gaze is AC Milan'sAlexander Merkel - recommended by Sky Sports reader Ferdinand Dreher.

The scout reports...

This week the Sky Sports Scout turns his attention the San Siro and one of AC Milan's gems for the future in the shape of German Alexander Merkel. Despite being just 18-years-old Merkel is already making a big impact on Massimiliano Allegri's first-team squad. Merkel is very much a product of Milan's own youth system, having joined them in 2008 after turning 16. He was spotted playing for Stuttgart's junior side by Milan scouts and was soon persuaded to make the move to Italy. But after just two years in their youth set-up he has made huge strides into the first-team picture. Merkel was part of the Milan Under-20 squad which won Italy's prestigious youth tournament the Coppa Italia Primavera last year - the first time in 25 years the Rossoneri have collected the prize. He was called into the first-team squad last season, but was not involved - however, this season he was used during the club's pre-season including the Emirates Cup hosted by Arsenal. But Merkel, unlike some of his team-mates, has grasped his first-team chance with both hands and is now rubbing shoulder to shoulder with some of Serie A's finest talents. Merkel has drawn comparisons to the likes of Marek Hamsik and Alexander Hleb, but I feel he bears a striking resemblance - in both looks and his play, to Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger. Solid in build, Merkel is a hugely gifted midfield talent. His first touch is sublime and his passing is what has singled him out as being ready for first-team action. He also has an eye for goal, but his work-rate cannot be faulted either - whilst he is adept with both feet. Indeed Merkel possesses a number of qualities which many older players would be grateful for, and again he is a product of German's wonderful international set-up which is producing some of the finest young talent in the world. Born in Kazakhstan to Belarus parents, Merkel had a number of international options, but he has been capped by Germany at various age groups as his talent shone through from a very early stage.

The scout says...

Merkel has already made one big move to Milan and hopes are very high he could be a mainstay of their midfield for years to come. If he progresses how his club and country feel, he will not be leaving the San Siro any time soon.

The Scout rating...

Shooting: 7 out of 10 Passing: 8 out of 10 Tackling: 7 out of 10 Heading: 7 out of 10 Pace: 7 out of 10 Vision: 8 out of 10 Current ability: 7 out of 10 Potential ability: 10 out of 10 OVERALL SCOUT RATING: 61/80 Current value: £10million Potential value: £50million

Your opinion...

You have read our opinion of Alexander Merkel - now we want your views. Have you seen Merkel in action? Do you agree with our assessment? Do you think he will make it? Get in touch, either using the form below, email or the scout's all new Twitter feed - @skysportsscout And if you have spotted anyone you think we should feature then please get in touch using the same form. We will look to send out the Scout to follow up your leads.