Football Manager 2014: 11 Wonderkids You Must Watch Out For

7. Luke Shaw - Southampton

Nationality: English Position: DL The New: Gareth Bale Given Gareth Bale's meteoric rise to the heights of European football, and the progression of both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Arsenal, Southampton's youth system has attracted some well-deserved accolades recently, and it seems that in Luke Shaw, who was one of the most wanted men in the Premier League last year before signing a new contract, they may have unearthed another massive talent. He was a genuine 5 star signing in FM 13, thanks to a quick progression into a European class left-back, and some stats that prove he would pay back faith shown in him after just a couple of years, even at a top four side. It was invariably better to send the young Englishman out on loan after signing him, or keeping him available for reserve games and around the first team, but his quick progression meant that he would become a first teamer in rapid time, which made his massive price tag (of around £12-13 million at times) a little easier to swallow. His attributes blossom quickly to make him a strong defender, and given his real progression in the Premier League last year, it's likely that Shaw's ratings and his value in FM 14 will be similarly impressive, with more likelihood that he would be signed as an immediate first team option (and probably an even bigger price tag.)
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