Roberto Carlos: Shaw will make it to the top

Following the two assists Luke Shaw claimed in England’s 4-0 win over Ukraine in the Euro 2020 quarter-final, legendary left-back Roberto Carlos followed the United player on Instagram and offered his congratulations on the performance.

Since then, Carlos has spoken of his faith in Shaw’s ability but didn’t want to compare himself to Shaw.

You can see he’s very motivated. He’s really improving, his performance against Ukraine was very good. He’s been an important part of this English team, along with all the others. He’s been improving each game and I think he’s got everything to get to the top. He’s the left-back for England, that in itself says a lot.

I don’t like comparing. It’s two completely different periods in football. I had my time and now he’s having his. Similarities I think could be that he has strength and the desire to win, just like I did.

Shaw has been nicknamed Shawberto Carlos but has been quick to laugh it off in an interview with the BBC.

It’s just a bit of banter and you have to laugh it off to be honest. People have been saying it a lot and he actually followed me and commented on my picture after the game, so I don’t know if he watched the game but he’s probably been taking notice of what people are saying on Twitter and following and commenting on my picture which was very nice to be honest.

I don’t really think about them sort of things, the main priority is what the team needs and how I can help the team. The last month or so I’ve loved every minute of it and you can see how much I’ve been smiling here. I’m really loving it and I don’t want to go home yet I want to go the whole way.

Having been left out of the starting line-up for the opening game of the tournament, Shaw has really made the position his own and his partnership with Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling is thriving. Both players are set to feature in the team of the tournament, which you could get on, or just take advantage of the Tropicana online casino promo code instead.

Before this tournament I hadn’t played much with Raz and now it feels like I have been playing with him for so long, it’s so easy. We understand each other’s movements and of course it shows that it can be a massive rivalry outside of here at our clubs, but here it’s like a big family.

It’s not just Roberto Carlos who has been singing his praises but former United defender Rio Ferdinand too.

He’s had a real burst of form and this season he has been fabulous. His delivery has been exquisite in this tournament, getting up there and his timing of the runs is excellent. It is all about execution from set-pieces and execution at vital moments in the game. When he gets the opportunity to get forward, it’s a feather foot into the dangerous area with beautiful deliveries.

Now he is realising the potential we all saw in him. Sometimes it just comes down to maturity and it is not just about footballing ability. There is more too it. There are so many components that make up a player. I think it is maturity, being at the right place at the right time, having the right management around you, the right staff, the right players. It has all just come together at a perfect time for him.