Luke Shaw (Part1)

Luke Shaw, born on July 12, 1995, is a prominent English professional footballer known for his roles as a left-back or centre-back. He currently plays for the Premier League club Manchester United and represents the England national team.
Shaw began his football journey in Southampton's youth system and quickly rose through the ranks. He made his first-team debut for Southampton in January 2012 and subsequently signed his first professional contract with the club in May of the same year. Over the next two seasons, Shaw established himself as a regular player in the Southampton team, showcasing his skills and talent on the field.


Shaw made a significant move to Manchester United, joining the club for a transfer fee of £30 million, which was a world record fee for a teenager at the time.
On the international stage, Shaw made his senior debut for the England national team in March 2014, contributing to a 1–0 friendly victory against Denmark. Later that year, he was selected to represent England in the FIFA World Cup.
One of Shaw's memorable moments in his international career came during the UEFA Euro 2020 final, where he scored his first international goal. Notably, his goal in the final was the fastest ever scored in a UEFA European Championship final, marking a significant achievement in his football career.


Luke Shaw was born in Kingston upon Thames, London, and spent his childhood in Molesey, Surrey. He attended Chandlers Field Primary School and later Rydens Enterprise School, where he showcased his football skills by helping the Under-15 team reach the semi-finals of the English Schools' FA Cup.
During his formative years, Shaw began his football journey playing grassroots football with Hersham and Molesey Juniors. Despite his early interest in football and aspirations to play for Chelsea, his favorite club, Shaw's path to professional football faced initial setbacks. Although he participated in Chelsea's development center in Guildford, he was not offered an academy place by the club.


Despite the initial setback, Shaw remained determined to pursue his football dreams and expressed his desire to eventually play for Chelsea. Throughout his youth, he admired Ashley Cole, a renowned full-back who played for Chelsea and the England national team. Shaw's dedication to the sport and his aspirations to succeed eventually led him to carve out a successful career in professional football.In 2002, Luke Shaw embarked on his football journey by joining the Southampton Academy at the tender age of seven. As he progressed through the ranks, Shaw became a regular member of the under-18 team by the age of 15, showcasing his talent and potential.


Shaw's first brush with the Southampton first team came in September 2011 when he was named as an unused substitute in a League Cup match against Preston North End. Despite his young age, Shaw's performances had already attracted attention from several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, who reportedly expressed interest in signing the 16-year-old defender during the January 2012 transfer window. At the time, Shaw was valued at £4 million by Southampton.
However, Southampton swiftly rebuffed any speculation regarding Shaw's potential departure. Then-manager Nigel Adkins emphasized Shaw's importance to the club's future plans, stating that Southampton had no intentions of letting go of their promising young talent.


Luke Shaw's breakthrough moment arrived at the age of 16 when he made his debut for the Southampton first team on 28 January 2012. He featured in an FA Cup match against Millwall, coming on as a substitute for winger Jason Puncheon in the final 13 minutes of the third-round tie, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Shaw's impressive debut hinted at his potential, and following Southampton's promotion to the Premier League in May 2012, he was offered a professional contract along with three other promising youth players. This marked the beginning of Shaw's ascent to prominence in English football.


Luke Shaw's progression with the Southampton first team continued to gather pace during the 2012-2013 season. He marked significant milestones, including his first start for the club in August 2012. Shaw played the full 90 minutes in a 4-1 victory over Stevenage in the League Cup, showcasing his talent and versatility.
On 10 November 2012, Shaw achieved another milestone by becoming the youngest player in Southampton's history to start a Premier League match. He featured at left-back against Swansea City, playing 74 minutes in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.


Throughout the season, Shaw maintained his place in the starting lineup, earning the trust of manager Nigel Adkins. In Adkins's final match in charge of Southampton on 16 January 2013, Shaw made a significant contribution by providing the assist for Jason Puncheon's goal in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea. His pinpoint cross from the left wing set up Puncheon to score in the 75th minute, highlighting Shaw's ability to impact games from his defensive position.
Despite facing challenges, such as the collision with Grant Holt in a match against Norwich City, which led to conceding a penalty in injury time, Shaw's resilience and determination shone through. Fortunately, goalkeeper Artur Boruc saved the ensuing penalty, securing a goalless draw for Southampton.


By the end of his debut professional season, Shaw had amassed an impressive 28 appearances for Southampton, with 25 coming in the Premier League. His consistent performances and maturity on the field hinted at a bright future ahead for the talented left-back.Following his impressive performances, Luke Shaw committed his future to Southampton by signing a new five-year contract on 12 July 2013. This demonstrated his loyalty to the club and reaffirmed his commitment to their ongoing success.
During Southampton's pre-season preparations, Shaw showcased his attacking prowess by scoring a goal in an emphatic 8-0 victory over Spanish team Palamós on 20 July 2013. His ability to contribute offensively added another dimension to his game and highlighted his versatility on the field.


As the 2013-2014 season commenced, Shaw continued to make significant contributions to Southampton's campaign. In the opening match against West Bromwich Albion, he played a crucial role in securing victory for the Saints. Shaw was fouled in the penalty area by Youssouf Mulumbu in the 89th minute, leading to a penalty kick that was successfully converted by Rickie Lambert, clinching a narrow win for Southampton.
Luke Shaw's outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, as he received recognition for his contributions throughout the season. He was named as one of the six players shortlisted for the prestigious PFA Young Player of the Year award on 18 April 2014. Additionally, Shaw's consistent displays earned him a place in the 2013-2014 PFA Team of the Year, further cementing his status as one of the league's top talents in his position.

References

1.  "Squads for 2016/17 Premier League confirmed". Premier League. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2017.
2. ^ "Luke Shaw". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
3. ^ "Luke Shaw: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
4. ^ Lemieux, Hannah (10 July 2021). "'Humble' England star Luke Shaw a 'natural leader' say former Surrey teachers and junior club". GetSurrey. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
5. ^ "Birthday boy Shaw signs on". Southampton F.C. 12 July 2013. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
6. ^ Talbot, Charlotte; Youlton, Clive (5 March 2014). "Pride as ex-Hersham schoolboy Luke Shaw joins England squad". GetSurrey. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
7. ^ "Who is Luke Shaw's footballing hero?". Manchester United F.C. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
8. ^ "Shaw Savouring Chelsea Contest". Southampton F.C. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
9. ^ "Chelsea expected to make £20m move for Southampton's Luke Shaw during January transfer window". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 December 2013. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
10. ^ Chalk, Gary; Holley, Duncan & Bull, David (2013). All the Saints: A Complete Players' Who's Who of Southampton FC. Southampton: Hagiology Publishing. pp. 460–461. ISBN 978-0-9926-8640-6.
11. a b c d "Luke Shaw". Southampton F.C. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2013.