Adam Lallana: Luke Shaw is "the best young player I've ever seen"

Luke Shaw

They say that the greatest compliment a footballer can get is not from a manager or a fan, but from his team-mates and his fellow players. If that is true, then Luke Shaw must feel like he is on cloud nine, after his Southampton team-mate Adam Lallana revealed that Shaw is the best teenager he has played alongside. The pair, who are in the squad, will be keen to impress against Denmark on Wednesday.

Having played alongside fellow academy graduates such as Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and, Gareth Bale, the English midfielder still considers Shaw as the pick of the bunch. Although the left back only made his debut last season, the 18-year-old has risen through the ranks in no time at all and will be looking to claim his first cap against the Danes. Given his current form and the fact that the World Cup is just around the corner, it should come as no surprise if he is in the squad for Brazil.

“He’s got such a level head on his shoulders and is so grounded,” said Lallana, who himself will be looking to gain a third cap this week. “Luke wouldn’t for one minute have thought he’d be involved in the senior team but he’s an outstanding talent and one of the best, probably the best player I’ve ever seen at 18. He’s won plaudits and gained recognition, and he’s certainly good enough to be here today.”

“It’s hard to compare him with the others: Gareth’s gone on and never looked back. I know Gareth did play left-back as well, so there are similarities there, but I wouldn’t want to put too much pressure on Luke. He’s done unbelievably for us this season. When Gareth was playing with us we were in the Championship. For Luke, at 18, to be playing so consistently well for us against some of the best wingers in the world, that’s credit to him and his attitude and how he keeps his feet on the ground. Nothing fazes him and I’m really excited to hopefully see him get some minutes on Wednesday.”

That will surely serve as motivation enough for the talented teenager, who is still only 18 and already has a queue of clubs waiting in the wings for his signature. With both the Manchester clubs and Chelsea reported to be interested in the teenage fullback, his future looks very much secure.

The game against Denmark will be England’s last game before the squad for the World Cup is announced by Roy Hodgson on 13 May. “This is the last chance we’ll have to impress, so it is going to be a big night,” he said. “Performing for your country in a World Cup, there’s nothing bigger. It’s the pinnacle of a footballer’s career. We all want to strive for greatness really. It starts this Wednesday, in terms of preparation.”

Given their fabulous form this season, the pair from the south-coast club, look favourites for a World Cup berth. But, you can be sure that they will leave no stone unturned against Denmark in what might be Luke Shaw’s first chance to show the world that he is one of the finest fullbacks in the game right now.