Shelvey on the verge of making the big time

As a 16-year-old, very few could imagine that Romford-born Jonjo Shelvey would be on the verge of a first senior England cap just four years later.

The talented Charlton Athletic youth product became a big hit at the Valley in a very short amount of time, becoming the club’s youngest ever goal scorer at 16 years old.

Despite signing a new one-year contract extension with the South Londoners interest in the spritely teenager was mounting.

Charlton were powerless to stop Liverpool from completing a deal to take Shelvey to Anfield at the tender age of 18.

Games were initially in short supply at the Reds, with Shelvey making just three first team appearances in his first season in the Premier League.

Championship side Blackpool agreed to take the midfielder on loan during the following campaign and that spell at Bloomfield Road is widely considered to be the turning point in Shelvey’s short career.

After making 10 appearances and scoring six goals for the Seasiders, Shelvey returned to Anfield after Liverpool suffered an injury crisis.

Under Kenny Dalglish’s leadership, the 20-year-old’s Liverpool career took off following a sustained run in the side.

Scoring his first Premier League goal in a 4-1 victory over Chelsea, the midfielder was becoming a firm favourite amongst the home support and subsequently Shelvey was handed a new long-term deal last summer.

In spite of Dalglish’s departure, new boss Brendan Rogers continued to select Shelvey, with the former Charlton youngster scoring twice in the 5-3 Europe League victory against Young Boys in September.

Having represented England at all ages from under 16s through to the under 21s, Shelvey was called up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland.

Hodgson was at the forefront of the deal to bring Shelvey to Anfield during his spell in charge.

Backed by Liverpool club captain Steven Gerrard, Shelvey’s impact on the Premier League could yet be overshadowed by a long and illustrious international career.