Former left-back assesses England’s current options.Former England left-back Kenny Sansom believes Southampton youngster Luke Shaw is a top talent and worthy of his place in the national set-up, according to Football Express News.
The 18-year-old is one of the most highly regarded young players in the country at the moment after his performances for the Saints in the Premier League, but there was some controversy over Roy Hodgson’s decision to leave out Chelsea veteran Ashley Cole from his squad, a decision which ultimately led to the former Arsenal man retiring from international football.
Sansom argues that Cole is probably still England’s best left-back, but feels he hasn’t had much of a chance to prove it this season after falling out of favour at Stamford Bridge for much of the 2013/14 campaign.
Shaw and Everton’s Leighton Baines will fight it out for a starting spot at left-back this summer, and Sansom does believe it is worth noting the tremendous potential of the young defender, who has been strongly linked as a big-money target for Manchester United.
“I rate the young kid from Southampton, Luke Shaw, he’s got loads of talent,” he said. “I think he is a big potential for England and is definitely a future star.
“Ashley could still be the number one left back we have in this country, but has not been given the chance to prove it this season.”
Shaw is joined by Southampton team-mate Adam Lallana in the Three Lions squad, but the pair could join their former team-mate Rickie Lambert in leaving the St Mary’s Stadium for bigger clubs this summer.