• England

Hodgson backs Shaw to reach Cole heights

ESPN staff
June 29, 2014
Luke Shaw believes he can handle the pressure of his big money move to Manchester United © PA Photos
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England coach Roy Hodgson believes new Manchester United signing Luke Shaw can be the new Ashley Cole.

Hodgson took Shaw, 18, to the World Cup in Brazil as understudy to Leighton Baines ahead of Cole, England's most-capped left-back.

He says the defender, who became the world's most expensive teenager when he moved to United from Southampton for £27 million, can reach the same heights as Cole.

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"I really do think Luke has got tremendous quality," Hodgson told the FA website. "I think he's really an Ashley Cole in the making."

Shaw won his fourth cap in the 0-0 draw against Costa Rica, becoming the second youngest footballer to play for England in the World Cup and recently indicated he could handle the pressure of his big-money transfer to Old Trafford.

Hodgson said: "I think the experience will do him good. Also, I think he will be a very useful player for us in games where we can use the enormous power he has going forward.

"We agonised over those positions, especially in the case of Luke because it involved Ashley Cole, who all of us love to bits and think is a great footballer."

Earlier this summer, Cole ended his international career having won 107 caps for England.

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