Five best academy players to emerge from EPL clubs in the last few years

2. Luke Shaw (Southampton)

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 28: Luke Shaw of Southampton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Crystal Palace at St Mary

Shaw joined Southampton at the age of 8 and entered their under-18 team at the age of 15. He plays as a left back for the first team squad of Southampton now.

His first team debut came in January 2012 at a young age of 16 in the FA Cup and he signed his professional contract the same year in May. Various clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have been chasing after him ever since his debut during the winter transfer of 2012.

Southampton were never ready to release Shaw and declared that he was a big part of their future plans. Even Manchester United have grown interested in him in the current season. But the Saints just aren’t ready to give him up; they have signed a 5-year deal with him which would make the attacking left back stay at the club till 2018.

Shaw has often been compared to Gareth Bale, a former Southampton youth product. Although he hasn’t yet scored for Southampton, he has shown some exemplary skills in matches like the one against West Bromwich Albion which the Saints won.