Analyzing the fortunes of Southampton academy players who left the club in recent years

Both Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale are products od the Southampton FC Academy.Southampton Football Club have, in recent years, been reaping the rewards of their well-known youth policy. It must be something in the water on the south coast of England that produces talented footballers by the truckloads. The Southampton youth academy is the envy of the Premier League and Europe.There is much to be said about the gains of this kind of policy. And although Southampton have enjoyed those benefits at least in part, the grim reality is that they are simply not attractive enough to persuade these talents to stick around at the club.The hugely fertile ground has been harvested by more financially powerful clubs, but they have not always had happy shopping at St. Mary's. The alumni of the Southampton youth academy have had contrasting fortunes since leaving the club. 

#6 Luke Shaw

Despite his tender years, Luke Shaw quickly became part of the furniture at St. Mary’s and was envisioned as a huge part of the club’s future. Alas, big money came a-knocking and the London-born defender sealed a lucrative move to Manchester United, becoming the then-most expensive teenager in history in 2014.

His club career has largely gone downhill since then. Injuries were principally to blame along with Louis van Gaal’s preference for Marcos Rojo or Daley Blind at left back. Shaw only made 16 league appearances in 2014/15 as the Red Devils returned to the Champions League.

Armed with the benefit of a pre-season, Shaw was expected to reclaim his place in the side and started the 2015/16 season in fine form before disaster struck. In the first Champions League game of the season, he suffered a horrific leg break against PSV Eindhoven. Frightening scenes of extensive medical treatment, including administration of oxygen, followed and Shaw is expected to be out of action for several months, probably even the rest of the season.

Shaw has encountered problems since his big money move, not all of his own making. Perhaps a better assessment of his capabilities can be made once he enjoys an extended spell in his favoured position.

Grade: D