Daniel Arzani is the Melbourne City whiz kid ready to take the A-League by storm, but Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe says he would rather have Jacob Italiano in his side.
Arzani tormented Glory on Tuesday night in City's 2-0 win at nib Stadium.
The 19-year-old set up both of Ross McCormack's first-half strikes by drawing fouls from Glory's befuddled defenders.
Arzani also set up McCormack's double in the 2-1 win over Wellington last week.
Lowe was impressed by Arzani's flashy skills. But he said the Iranian-born midfielder had nothing on Glory's own gem -- Italiano.
The 16-year-old Glory midfielder has lit up the A-League since making his debut in round seven.
His form was so impressive, it even caught the attention of Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach, who flew him to Germany in December to strike a deal.
Italiano will stay at Glory until he is 18 before joining the German club.
"He [Arzani] looks alright," Lowe said. "He's exciting. He goes at people. He's a dribbler.
"He looks nice on the ball. But I think there's other facets to the game that even their gaffer has eluded to that he needs to work at.
"I'd take Italiano all day. He's got the attributes to be a complete player."
Arzani was widely booed by Glory fans after winning a controversial penalty in the 36th minute.
The fleet-footed midfielder went down from minimum contact as he tried to squeeze in between Jeremy Walker and Andreu.
Glory players were adamant it was a dive, and Lowe agreed.
"I thought he went down cheaply for the penalty. He had his swimming trunks on underneath his shorts," Lowe said with a wry smile.
Arzani, who was only making his first start against Glory, has been reportedly frustrated at his lack of opportunities at City.
Reports have surfaced that Arzani is eyeing a move to either Sydney FC or Western Sydney Wanderers at the end of this season.
Arzani copped a series of heavy tackles against Glory.
But City coach Warren Joyce said that treatment was just part and parcel of being a flashy player.
"If you're a dribbler, you're going to get mistimed tackles against you," Joyce said.
"I thought there were some big hits. I like watching rugby league. But if you put some of them in slow motion, they were big hits."