Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hodgson - Shelvey A Prospect

Roy Hodgson believes Jonjo Shelvey is showing promise at Liverpool, but feels the teenager will have to wait to become an established Premier League player.

Shelvey joined Liverpool at the end of last season from Charlton Athletic and has been involved in the first-team squad this term.

He has gained experience in the Europa League and has also appeared four times as a substitute in the league under Hodgson.

However, while Hodgson has been impressed by the 18-year-old's contribution so far, the Reds boss has urged Shelvey to use his more senior team-mates as an example to follow.

"I haven't thought when Jonjo Shelvey plays a good game that it lifts him above Raul Meireles, Lucas Leiva or Christian Poulsen because they are good players too," said Hodgson.

"What is good to see is that a young player we have invested money in is proving to be worth his money and is proving to be the future prospect we think he is.

"He is a confident young man but he's modest and he knows there is a lot of work to be done before he can hold his hand up and say 'Look at me, what a good Premier League player I am'.

"In players like Steven Gerrard, in particular, and also Poulsen, Meireles and Lucas he has people he can look at and say 'That's the benchmark'."

Hodgson has used the Europa League to blood some of the more inexperienced members of his squad and has been pleased by the way the fringe players have stepped up.

He added: "I have been delighted by the way our young, inexperienced players have stood up to the test.

"Being able to use the squad has been very useful as it has allowed us to have a fresher team at the weekend.

"It has also given me a chance to have a look at Shelvey, Dani Pacheco, Danny Wilson and Martin Kelly - it has been vital for us to learn about younger players."

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