The incredible resurgence of Luke Shaw: Madness under Mourinho to Southgate’s Starter

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The past 12 months have seen the rise of Luke Shaw, back to the top of his game and the resurgence to what was expected of the full-back in 2014 during his time at Southampton.

Luke Shaw is seemingly a marmite footballer, or at least under coaches it has looked that way. You either love him or you hate him. Coaches in the past especially fit this mould with Mourinho often criticising Shaw in the media, however, things seem to now once again be on the rise for the former Southampton man.

Another member of the infamous Southampton academy that has seen the likes of Gareth Bale, Calum Chambers, James Ward-Prowse rise through its ranks. Shaw made his debut in January 2012 for the first team and since then attracted multiple big clubs vying for the teenager’s signature earning him the title of the hottest property in football at the time.

This wasn’t the only reason though, in the summer of 2014 Shaw was heavily linked to Chelsea and Manchester United but at the forefront of Shaw’s mind was the ongoing World Cup which he received a call up for, following his first full season at the Saints.

Whilst England’s performance was once again lacklustre, Shaw added another parameter to an already impressive CV, just three days after his first England cap at a major tournament he moved to Manchester United in a deal worth £30 million, making him the most expensive teenager in world football at the time.

Following his first season for the Red Devils he was shortlisted for the 2014 Golden Boy award, the sky really looked the limit for Shaw, however, in September 2015 in a Champions League game Shaw suffered a double leg fracture which could easily have kept him from reaching those same levels of performances he once did, and for a while it seemed he wouldn’t get back to that point.

When Mourinho took over at Manchester United the media picked up on the feud that seemed to be ongoing during his managerial reign, and that continued after his dismissal as manager.

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Moving on from feuds and injuries, the left-back this season under Ole Gunnar Solskjær has re-found himself as the full-back he was once meant, and hyped up, to be seven years ago.

In 32 appearances this season he’s had six contributions. While they’re not the leading statistics for fullbacks in the league, in the system that the Red Devils play the majority of goal contributions rely on the forwards and advanced midfielders such as Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

When Shaw was announced in the preliminary England squad, and then later in the 26-man squad for the tournament, there was no surprise and he was a very much welcomed figure for the tournament.

At the back in this tournament England have been nothing short of exemplary, in the five games the side has played at Euro 2020 the Three Lions are yet to concede a goal. Shaw has featured in four of the five matches, after being behind Kieran Trippier for the side’s opening encounter.

In the game against Ukraine, Shaw proved just how pivotal he is to Southgate’s side. Defensively Shaw was resolute, however, this can be extended to the rest of the defence also. The 25-year-old dealt superbly with West Ham’s Yarmolenko, a player who has had a standout tournament for the Ukraine.

Going forward Shaw also proved that he was the right man, putting to sleep any doubts of whether he should be replaced by Trippier, or Ben Chilwell, for England’s next tie. Trippier featured heavily due to his set-piece deliveries, but Shaw also proved more than capable.

An indirect free kick was met beautifully by Harry Maguire, which effectively put the tie to sleep just minutes into the second half.

Shaw’s value to the team was clear, but this was further evidenced with his second assist. An overlapping run past Sterling before chipping a delicate ball into the box for Kane to nod in his second of the game, rounding off a near enough perfect game for the full-back.

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Whether you were fond of Shaw before the start of the tournament or not, it is clear to see how much he brings to this England set-up. Now being nicknamed ‘Shawberto Carlos’, it is difficult to see anyone else coming into the left-back position which he has firmly made his this tournament.

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