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I think its the other way around, people find it hard to get a full back that can be solid defensively and try to play more attacking wingers into those positions, other than Lahm, Zabaleta and Ashley Cole until recently there's rarely been good defensive fullbacks but when they do come, they are invaluable. You only need to see the issues Evra had dealing with wingers like Lennon and jeopardizing the defense to understand the value of Luke Shaw.
I strongly disagree with the notion that defensively stout fullbacks are hard to find. It's just symptomatic of the trend of putting greater emphasis on the attacking aspect from a younger age among modern fullbacks. I believe Gaz's recent article addressed part of this too, and it's being done for a reason. Top notch attacking fullback is more effective than one who's great defensively but about average going forward. It isn't an indictment of Shaw per se because I feel he hasn't displayed his full attacking armory at United yet. But I do feel the defensive part is easier to compensate for than the attacking aspect in a general sense. Someone like Evra might have had a torrid time at the back on the odd occasion but his overall dribbling and linkup ability more than made up for the relative frailties.
LvG is known for converting younger players as well, but I guess right now we can't even try it out as we have no LB cover with Rojo hurt and Blind much better as a DM than a LB where his lack of pace is really a detriment and his positional sense can't cover for it.
The other alternative is for Shaw to stay at LB and for us to buy Laporte for LCB.
Yeah, I reckon he could've tried Shaw in different positions were Evra still at United given his history with Alaba, Piggy etc. In a way I see a bit of Shaw's skillset in Blackett who's looked quite assured at the center.
Wouldn't mind Aymeric though.