PRESSURE IS ON

Ahead of Norwich’s visit to play Southampton, Norwich city defender Robert Snodgrass has increased the pressure on Southampton’s young defender Luke Shaw by claiming that he would rather take Ashley Cole to the World Cup 2014.

The 18-year-old has been regarded as the latest sensation in Premier league football with several club like Chelsea and Manchester United ready to pay in excess of £ 25 million for the left back. This would make him one of the most expensive left back in the world.

However, Chelsea already have Ashley Cole, who is record appearance maker for the England national team as a left back. He has also won numerous titles with both Chelsea and Arsenal over the years, but at 33 years of age, he seems to be coming to the end of his career. Cole has been widely linked with a move to the MLS at the end of the season since his contract with Chelsea runs out in the summer. There appears to be no indication from Chelsea that they are ready to extend the deal.

There have also been suggestions that England manager Roy Hodgson may be prepared to leave Cole, who has not featured regularly for Chelsea this season, and take Shaw to Brazil. Snodgrass, though, thinks otherwise because Cole has a lot of experience.

“I watched the England game and Shaw definitely didn’t look out of place. He took to it like a duck to water. But he is still very young and he needs more time to develop his game, although he certainly doesn’t play like he is only 18. He still has a lot to learn. So Baines and Cole are the ones that I believe should be going to Brazil. They both deserve to go,” said Snodgrass, who also said that he was looking to play against Shaw.