Former Southampton and Chelsea star, Graeme Le Saux, hopes that Luke Shaw stays at St Mary’s where he thinks he will be nurtured properly.
Fans who follow the live football commentary know the 18-year-old is one of the hottest young stars in English football and is already being linked with a host of leading clubs, with Chelsea reportedly set to beat Manchester United to secure his services.
Shaw has already featured in 48 Premier League matches for Saints, who have a reputation for discovering and improving a host of English-born youngsters – including Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale.
According to the bet365 football betting website, Shaw has been earmarked by Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, as a possible long-term replacement for Ashley Cole, who seems increasingly likely to be leaving the current Premier League leaders in the summer.
England manager Roy Hodgson has even made it clear that Cole could be left out of his team for this summer’s World Cup if he fails to win his place back in the Chelsea side.
The 33-year-old faces pressure from Everton’s Leighton Baines for his England shirt while Mourinho has opted to use Spain right-back Cesar Azpilicueta on the left in recent months rather than Cole.
Le Saux has warned Shaw to think what will be best for him in the long term, considering the pitfalls the likes of Jack Rodwell and Scott Sinclair have endured after sealing big-money moves.
He said of Shaw: “I’ve been watching him play quite a lot. He has the qualities of an attacking full-back who has a lot of pace and a lot of energy.
“His defending is getting better as he gets more experienced. He’s still very young and the more experience he gains for his club and at Under-21 level, I feel that he’s in the right place at the moment and his development is crucial.”