A move to Chelsea over Manchester United would be ideal for this English defender

Southampton defender Luke Shaw

Its the first week in November and we are almost two months away from the January transfer window, yet reports have emerged in the major newspapers that David Moyes is weighing up his options and is preparing a bid for Southampton’s young and energetic left back Luke Shaw.

It’s no doubt that Southampton has had a brilliant start to the 2013-14 EPL campaign. The atmosphere around St. Mary’s stadium has seldom been so upbeat in the past few years but the club has turned it around and the fans have a renewed belief and pride nowadays. And why not? After ten games into the second season of their return to top-flight football, Southampton FC sits pretty on a creditable sixth place above the likes of Everton and Manchester United and boast about having the meanest defence so far in the Premier League. A firm believer in attacking football, Mauricio Pochettino, one of the followers of the Marcelo Bielsa philosophy has got the best of his team so far and the Saints continue to impress.

Talking about Luke Shaw, the 18 year old left back has shown immense maturity beyond his years with a calm head and demonstrates superb game reading ability on his young shoulders. Whether it’s charging down the left and overlapping the wingers or performing his defensive duties, Shaw is the heart of the Saints team who in their sublime form look untouchable. Shaw has demonstrated admirable calmness and his knack of outrageous passing has so far caught the eye with an average passing accuracy of about 74%, which for a defender is a big number.

Talking from the Manchester United perspective, Patrice Evra looks past his sell by date and with his best years gone, Moyes will be tempted to make a move for the young left back. There is Alex Buttner for cover, but he perhaps is too inexperienced for the Premier League. Shaw, however is a boyhood Chelsea fan and dreams to play for the Blues from Stamford Bridge. It still might be early days speculating where he moves next, given he just signed a five year contract for the Saints.

Chelsea might just be the better option, given he has his heart set on the move. Moreover, Ashley Cole looks like he might be overdue in about two seasons, his movement not that strong and dynamic anymore. Ryan Bertrand, the cover up also is not experienced and needs to gain some experience, like a loan deal to the lesser clubs maybe.

To be fair, both Evra and Cole who are 32 now, have a maximum of two years before injuries and fatigues reduce their game time and Shaw with his Premier League experience and abilities will be a guaranteed starter for the both the giants. It will be up to the youngster to make his decision.

While Luke Shaw might just be the next big thing in the left back position in England, it’s too early for the situation to promise itself, but Chelsea remains his preferred destination.

Scouting Luke Shaw,

Stats taken from Squawka