By For the upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, England’s coach Gareth Southgate is set to favor Kieran Trippier as the starting left wing-back over Luke Shaw, who is likely to be on the bench. Despite calls from supporters and commentators for Shaw to start after his notable performance against Switzerland, concerns about his fitness after a muscle injury have influenced the decision. Trippier’s defensive skills are deemed crucial for countering the Netherlands’ offensive threats, particularly Denzel Dumfries’ speed.
Southgate has praised Trippier for his significant contributions to the team in past tournaments and values his presence both on the field and within the squad. Meanwhile, football pundit Paul Merson has expressed confidence in England’s chances against the Dutch, emphasizing the importance of having striker Harry Kane in the starting lineup. Merson dismisses any suggestion of benching Kane as unfounded, highlighting his status as a world-class player essential for big matches, despite a lack of opportunities in the tournament so far. He anticipates an England victory, stating that a loss to the Netherlands would be more surprising than the previous round’s close call against Switzerland.
