England have largely stuck by the same set of players to start at the Euros but Gary Lineker believes Gareth Southgate will make one major change ahead of the semis
Gary Lineker believes Luke Shaw should be the major change to England ‘s starting XI for the semi-final.
The Three Lions have meandered into the last four but are now just 90 minutes away from a final in Berlin on Sunday. The Dutch stand between them and a second Euros final in succession with Gareth Southgate, so far, sticking loyal to a select bunch of players.
There have been few personnel changes but last time out against Switzerland England opted for a formation change – playing a back three and utilising wing-backs with Bukayo Saka on the right and Trippier on the left. The Newcastle man though has struggled on the flank given he’s right footed.
Shaw headed to Germany as an injury concern – being deemed a “long shot” by Southgate – but came off the bench on Saturday and claims he can now do a full 90 minutes. His left foot will bring more balance to the England team and Lineker expects Southgate to stick with three at the back – but believes the Manchester United man will come in.
He said on The Rest is Football : “I think Shaw will start as left wing-back, think we will stick with the same system. I think it would be slightly odd to go back to a system that wasn’t working and have the same problem with the balance on the left-hand side which he [Gareth Southgate] never addressed in four matches.
“Then he did address, even though it was Trippier, and he’s not naturally left-footed, but you put Shaw in there and he’s got a lovely balance.”
Lineker also expects Marc Guehi to return to the backline having been replaced by Ezri Konsa due to his suspension. The Crystal Palace man has been one of England’s standouts and is poised to play alongside Kyle Walker and John Stones.
The Match of the Day host has been among those to criticise Harry Kane, whose influence has been limited in the country he now calls home. The Bayern Munich man has only scored once and been withdrawn numerous times during the tournament.
Lineker believes Southgate needs to be prepared to haul off the ex-Tottenham star early on if he’s not performing and would even be in favour of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins getting the nod from the start, albeit the England boss is highly unlikely to do so.
Lineker’s XI to face the Netherlands: Pickford; Saka, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Mainoo, Rice; Foden, Bellingham; Kane
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