One of the biggest problems for Chelsea this season has been their defense, which is why they’re quite interested in 18-year old Luke Shaw of Southampton, widely regarded as one of the top young talents in the Premier League right now.
Jose Mourinho is currently playing with Cesar Azpilicueta, a right-footed right back as his left back. Ashley Cole is pretty much being frozen out by Mourinho, and is contemplating retirement at the end of the season, or simply moving on to a club which pays very well but doesn’t really demand too much from him. Ryan Bertrand has been a young talent for plenty of years, but never good enough to be trusted with the left back role unless too many injuries force the manager’s hands.
Shaw has been with Southampton since the age of 8, and has been a starting player for the club going back to last season. He has appeared 14 times for the team this season, all as a starter, providing one assist. He has also played three times for the England U-21 side.
Shaw, like Gareth Bale before him (also coming from Southampton, playing the same position originally), loves to go on the attack and is a very technically gifted player for a full back. He is valued at £7 million at the moment, but there’s a good chance Southampton, a lot less cash strapped these days than in the past, will only let him go for a lot less. Another problem for Chelsea in this matter is Shaw’s demands. The young player, according to the Daily Mirror, has no intention of moving to Chelsea while there’s a chance he’s not a first team player. In order for him to agree on the move, it has to be with a guarantee that he has the starting spot.
Jose Mourinho isn’t a fan of developing young talent – he prefers them expensive and ready to play. Shaw, despite his success, is still quite raw for a team with the expectations and challenges that Chelsea have. Promising a place in the first team might be the right thing to do, but it just doesn’t seem like something they will do, making this transfer seem something to look forward to in the future, but not right now.