OK, thoughts on Luke Shaw as a player, his future, your chances of signing him.
Just for perspective I've been a season ticket holder for over 20 years at the Dell/ St Marys. Although have rivalries I'm bit old for petty slagging off other clubs (apart from when their used to be another club along the coast but don't think they are still in professional football
). I can't say you are my favourite team, mainly due to usual thing of backing underdogs etc, but I recognise the relevative standing of clubs, finances, support, champions league etc.
Shaw
He is very good, however, I think much of the media reporting on him is lazy. I don't know whether it is just because of his age, or because he follows recent graduates of Walcott, Bale and OxC, but he is often described as very good going forward and weak defensively. He isn't weak defensively.
He stands out due to his maturity in attitude, ability and strength - at 18 he is more complete than the previous three I mentioned. He is freakily calm, confident and physically strong for an 18 year old. Defensively he has been excellent this season, in my opinion (and guess professional footballers ) the best. I have not seen him struggle at all this season, can't really remember him being beaten, for example januzaj didn't get close to beating him, Shaw was calm and faster.
IMHO, he is already ahead of Baines or Cole defensively - with the only fault being, very occasionally positioning. Due to his speed he often sits in the opponents half, even when attackers are behind him. This maybe the manager's instruction (but we've got rid of him
).
His attacking ability, at the moment, is over rated. He gets the ball forward quickly, running with it, stretching opposition, but his final product isn't great (Clyne is better going forward but trying to keep him quiet!).
Good signing? Undoubtedly. You are trying to buy potential. Remember he is 18, how many players play more than handful of games in the premier league at 18? This is his second season as well, Cole was 20, Baines 21, Evra 25, before they played at this level - and not only has he played but played well over a season, consistently to make the PFA player of the season - he is a long way better than any of those were at his age.
A lot of posts on your Shaw thread talk about other players failing to make their potential when hailed at this age. I think that is an unfair comparison - he is already proved his consistency, and if I can brag for a moment, is from our acedemy, you don't get better preparation. We are also big on character, Bale, OxC, Walcott, Ward Prowse, Chambers, Shaw, all level headed.
Would he be good signing? No doubt at all. If he peaks early he will be international level / top prem player for a decade, if he improves as most players do will be better than Cole who is best I've seen for while whatever I think of him!
Will he leave this window? Likely but by no means certain. He has been here since he was 8. He recently commented about how no-one can imagine playing, and being on top of ManCity at home (as said by their manager and captain) and as 18 year old there were four players who have played together for saints in same team from under 8s. We have something like 4 in under 19, including captain (another 18 year old fullback!) And two other younger players moved up - Shaw and Ward Prowse captaining u21s.
He will leave, but I am not convinced following some very positive Southampton comments by his parents, that he is in rush. He will be on huge money for his age (he can't drive) he has already made team of season and world cup so several of usual reasons for leaving are not there.appreciate its sore point but you can't offer him champions league, what if he left, and you didn't qualify again? (Personally think you will but not guaranteed).
He may think that another year or two then move to top four - he still would be youngest defender at that level.
I appreciate its a done deal in papers, but wasn't it all agreed before end of season according to them? We also had this last summer, papers waiting to announce him at Chelsea... Then he signed 5 year contract.
The other thing to remember is Southampton do not want to sell (applies for Lallana) and do not need the money.
There is a lot of wrong information printed, although they are starting to realise their errors.
Our owner has made it clear, she is not selling and doesn't think team has peaked. Her father died before our first promotion from league one - we were I think 8th league 1 when she took over, two promotions, prem 14th then 8th...she has spent the money, she only started going to games last season and clearly loves it.
The official club statement has said all young players on long contracts, do not need to sell any and money available this window.
That said, depending on money offered and players attitude to it any player can be sold, but I think fact we have turned down (from official website) multiple bids for players shows rumours of fire sale were wrong - if desperate we would have cashed in on Lallana and Shaw a month ago and be over £50m richer.
The strongest rumours, from local BBC sports news, is Lallana sulking for move, Shaw being very professional. Bids of £25 & £28 turned down. Manager likely to be Koeman (hmm famous defender, Shaw??) Or Magath, but tip for you Yakin has dropped out in odds as was signing for Moscow but believe he has pulled out, very well thought of, his agent said interested, just won Swiss league twice - where our owner lives. Anyway, reporter states that new manager will get £30-50m PLUS anything raised - Koeman could get Indi martin and classie for a lot less to replace those two.
Gut feeling, 80% likely you will get him & I wish him well.
