England boss Gareth Southgate has opened up on a selection quandary he faces ahead of England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
The Three Lions face the Swiss in Dusseldorf hoping to ride the momentum of the dramatic extra-time win over Slovakia last weekend after facing a host of criticism over their style of play so far during the tournament.
Southgate will have to make do without centre-back Marc Guehi for the clash after the Crystal Palace man received a second yellow card of the tournament against Slovakia, but Southgate has now revealed that he will have left-back Luke Shaw for the first time in Germany.
Shaw has been sidelined since February with hamstring issues and with no left-back cover in his 26-man squad, Southgate has played Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier at left-back.
Now, Southgate faces a dilemma of whether or not to bring Shaw back in or stick with Trippier at left-back.
“Kieran Trippier has been absolutely outstanding for us,” Southgate said during his pre-match press conference.
“Luke is available, he is available to start, but Kieran has also done a brilliant job for the team.
“He obviously doesn’t give us that balance that a natural left-footer can give you, but his leadership, his communication on the pitch – if you ask any of the wingers who play with him or the players who play alongside him, his talking is phenomenal.
“It helps them to play the game. It is a much-undervalued quality. It is a bit of a dying art, really, good talkers on the pitch.
“You can’t have enough of them. He has exceptional qualities in that area as well as some quality on the ball. He has adapted and done a brilliant, brilliant job for us.”
Media reports have suggested that Southgate may be ready to switch to playing three at the back, after England ended the Slovakia win in that formation.
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