Luke Shaw to start on bench in England’s Euro 2024 semi-final with Netherlands as Southgate makes just one change
LUKE SHAW is set to be on the bench for England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against Holland.
The Manchester United left-back was hoping for his first start of the tournament after an impressive quarter-final cameo against Switzerland.
But Gareth Southgate will keep faith with Kieran Trippier as he prepares to make just one change.
The Newcastle right-back has spent the tournament playing on the opposite flank.
As a result, Trippier has struggled to get forward in support of Man City’s Phil Foden.
And Shaw’s impact against the Swiss, as well as his declaration of fitness yesterday, suggested he was in line to regain his spot.
However, it’s believed Southgate has doubts over Shaw’s ability to last 90 minutes.
He is also a fervent believer in Trippier’s defensive qualities and believes the Toon ace will be needed against the Netherland’s pacy right side.
Southgate plans on making just one change to the team that overcame Switzerland on penalties.
Ezri Konsa is set to drop out despite impressing in a back three.
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And he will be replaced by Marc Guehi, who is available following a one-match suspension.
But it remains to be seen if Southgate keeps faith with his five-man defence after going like-for-like against the Swiss.
The Dutch play with a back four and England could revert to the 4-2-3-1 shape they used for the first four games of the Euros.
However, the back five brought the best out of stars like Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice.
And it could yet be the best way for Harry Kane to regain his form after struggling in the quarters.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ preparations were hit by major travel chaos on Tuesday.
Ronald Koeman was forced to cancel his press conference after a rail-line blockage forced the Dutch to fly from Wolfsburg to Dortmund.
It means they only arrived in the city less than 24 hours before kick-off against England, which could give the Three Lions an advantage.
I know we needed penalties... but England showed vs Switzerland why they can WIN Euro 2024, says Jack Wilshere
IT TOOK penalties to put us through but, before the drama, England showed us why they have the ingredients to do something special, writes Jack Wilshere.
It was a win by the narrowest of margins but this was overall our best performance of Euro 2024.
If we can build on the progress we made, especially in the first half, we could WIN the tournament.
It was not a complete display. There were nervy moments and waiting so long to make changes could have cost us.
But we saw what a good team England can be if they do the right things and put players in the right positions.
The first half was England’s best since the first 45 against Serbia. Maybe even better.
One of the keys to that was our press and the effect it had on Granit Xhaka.
For the first time in four games we were pressing high, winning the ball back in better areas and putting Switzerland on the back foot.
In previous matches, our forwards were pressing but the gaps between our lines were too big.
That was leaving huge gaps for Declan Rice and whoever was partnering him to cover.
This time there was better structure and organisation.
There seemed to be more of a plan for when to drop into a block and when to jump out to press.
Now England have the opportunity to build momentum and show why they can win this tournament.
Read all of SunSport columnist Jack’s Euro 2024 articles.