The old left-backs have been left back, as newer, comparatively younger left-backs have been purchased by Manchester United and Chelsea. Luke Shaw is the new kid on the block, while Filipe Luis brings a wealth of experience with him.
Both will be first-choice for their respective clubs, and both will have to hit the ground running. Luke Shaw has already been running on the training ground, as he was declared unfit by manager Louis van Gaal and has got minutes on the pitch, while Filipe Luis has been using the pre-season games to establish himself in the Chelsea first-team.
United can look at long-term security in terms of Shaw, as he is only 19 and easily has ten, if not more years at the top-level. On the other hand, Luis is 29, but was more of a first-team, short-term player. Shaw has just played one season at this level, whereas Luis has had years of experience, in different leagues. However, Shaw has played in the Premier League, even if it has just been one season, whereas Luis has not played in the Premier League, which tests defenders differently as compared to other leagues. Here, defenders have to defend against opposition attacks, and also create chances on their flank for their players to capitalise on. The role of a fullback in the Premier League has been likened to that of a rook on a chess board, as the flanks are the fastest means of attack for a team.
STATS (Last Season)
Luke Shaw
Filipe Luis
To add spice to the Shaw transfer, Jose Mourinho, the Chelsea manager, criticised the purchase and the wages of Luke Shaw, stating that it would be untenable to pay so much to a young player. Chelsea were in the race to get Luke Shaw, too, but didn’t pursue him after United were close to sealing the deal. Filipe Luis has been spoken about as being a expensive quick-fix to replace the departure of an experienced Ashley Cole, as fans are looking forward to the maintenance of clean sheets, like in the earlier season with a stable defence.
Shaw versus Luis: who will win? Until the season begins, we will not know. Theirs stats are similar too but Ex-Saints man has a better shot accuracy than the Brazilian star. True, Shaw is a tender talent, but he will have fewer games to play, as United are not playing in Europe. On the other hand, Luis adds to a formidable Chelsea defence which needs to have enough players to make the most of all the competitions in which the club will participate this season.