The amount of talent that Luke Shaw has at just 18-years-old is quite astounding. He’s one of the jewels of a highly gifted Southampton team and it’s been clear for a while now that should he moved on, he’ll command a hefty price-tag.
Shaw has spent his entire youth career with the Saints (since 2003), after having played at Chelsea’s development centre in Guildford but failing to earn a place on their Academy programme. The Blue’s loss has been Southampton’s gain. Shaw has quickly made his way up through the ranks and has made the jump to Premier League football effortlessly.
He’s now played 49 Premier League games and hasn’t looked overawed at any stage. Sure, there’s been the occasional slip-up, but that’s to be expected. He’s just 18-years-old and remains raw and inexperienced. It may be another season or two until he finds the consistency that is part and parcel of being a world-class footballer.
But the fact remains: he’s a very exciting footballer. For somebody so young, he’s extremely comfortable on the ball, has an excellent turn of pace and an extraordinary amount of energy. He bolts up and down the flanks, putting in tackles and firing in crosses. He’s also not afraid to take people on, drift in behind and cause problems for defenders.
He’s a part of the set-up that produced players like Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain. That’s a rich lineage of talent.
This brings me to the present day, where, if you believe The Mirror, Luke Shaw is the subject of a transfer battle between Manchester United and Chelsea. They suggest that United have bid £22m for Shaw and that Chelsea are preparing a counter-bid for the player. It’s going to be interesting to watch this one play out.
Shaw may be a boyhood Chelsea fan, but I hope this doesn’t cloud his judgement in this case. The Blues have turned into a club that chews up talented young footballers and spits them out. Just look at Ryan Bertrand’s current situation if you need an example.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have a pressing need for a footballer like Luke Shaw. With Patrice Evra approaching the autumn of his career, David Moyes needs to recruit a long-term replacement. Shaw certainly fits the billing.
He’ll get game-time at Old Trafford, but that may not be the case at Stamford Bridge. Here’s hoping the player sees sense and follows his head, rather than his heart.
What’s your take? Which club is a better fit for Luke Shaw: Manchester United or Chelsea?
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LOL, so you article boils down into I’m a Man U fan come to Manchester. It’s unusual that both United and Chelsea have long term left backs coming to the end of their career. You right in pointing out that Chelsea have a very low threshold to non performing players (youth included).
However what you haven’t really balanced it with is that if you are good enough you will stay in the team. Luke Shaw is not a youth player trying to prove himself at 18 he has done that and is now looking to play at a high level of football i.e. Champions league.
Either team will provide him with the game time he needs, Terry & Lampard have proved that if you’re good enough you’re in the team. Chelsea have a long relationship with English left backs, Le Saux & Cole and need to keep a strong core of English talent, Mourinho has stated that.
His decision comes down to which team he believes will help drive his career and medal haul, So it’s either Mourinho or Moyes, Chelsea fan or not I think Luke knows the answer to that question.
His future lies with Southampton football club, Harry you numpty.