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Chelsea will win the chase for Southampton’s brilliant young left-back Luke Shaw – but only if they can guarantee him a starting role, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho has made finding a long-term replacement for Ashley Cole, 33, a priority and the highly-rated Shaw has moved to the top of his list.

The West London giants will get a ‘yes’ from Shaw if they can convince him there is a regular place available.

Shaw has been watched by all the top clubs – both at home and in Europe – but his sights are set on joining Chelsea, the club he supported as a boy.

Previous overtures for his services were turned down as Shaw, 18, and his family were not keen to see him play a fringe role, but the picture has changed now that Cole’s role is up for grabs.

Chelsea may make the ­decisive move in January - and that could free up young Blues defender Ryan Bertrand to move to Liverpool.

Kop boss Brendan Rodgers was turned down when he bid for the 24-year-old in the ­summer, who has lost patience at Stamford Bridge where right-back Cesar Azpilicueta is currently playing out of ­position on the left, and could be up for a switch north.

Mourinho’s spies have also been watching Sevilla’s Alberto Moreno – but his £25million price tag is putting them off.

Chelsea also have Dutchman Patrick van Aanholt – who is on loan at Vitesse – on their books, who can play left-back.