10 Candidates For The PFA Young Player Of The Year Award

8. Luke Shaw

Coming from the same academy which brought through the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott, it's clear that the Saints have unearthed another gem in left-back Luke Shaw. Already a regular presence in the Southampton defence at the age of 18, Shaw has impressed fans and pundits alike, being equally adept at the defensive and offensive sides of the game. Shaw's eye-catching performances means that he is being monitored not only by the Premier League's big boys, but also by England manager Roy Hodgson, who sees Shaw as the future replacement of Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines. Verdict Luke Shaw should definitely be considered as a strong candidate for this award but his position will count against him. Only two defenders have ever won this award, most recently Kyle Walker, who is a very attack minded defender, so it looks like Shaw could miss out on the award in favour of a more attacking prospect.