England Wonderkid Idolised Chelsea star but Could Now Take His Place

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Southampton’s Shaw had Cole as his idol claims former teacher.

Southampton starlet Luke Shaw is set to earn his first cap for England and is billed to get a place in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad ahead of Ashley Cole.

Shaw is a self-confessed Chelsea fan but now a former teacher of the 18-year-old has also claimed that Cole was the teenager’s idol as a child.

“Luke was, and still is, a big Chelsea fan and Ashley Cole was his hero,” PE teacher Steve Hart told the Sun.

“It is amazing to think he could now be going to Brazil in Cole’s place. That shows how far he has come in a very short space of time.

“If Roy Hodgson does take him to the World Cup, Luke will certainly not let the country down – he will take it in his stride as he always does.”

Hodgson called up Shaw to the senior team for the first time for the upcoming international friendly with Denmark, along with Cole and Everton star Leighton Baines.

The Saints ace looks set to earn his first cap against the Danes, having impressed for the past two seasons at St Mary’s.

Shaw is now an established member of the starting XI for Mauricio Pochettino’s side and has already made 57 appearances for the south coast team in all competitions.

Cole meanwhile is at the opposite end of the scale and a successful career appears to be drawing to an end, as the 33-year-old has struggled with form and fitness this term and has been left out by manager Jose Mourinho in favour of Cesar Azpilicueta for much of the season.

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