Gareth Southgate is expected to stick with his trusted starting XI for Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Despite suggestions Luke Shaw could come in to play in his natural left-back position for the showdown with La Roja, talkSPORT understands Kieran Trippier is likely to keep his place in the line-up.
Much has been said about England’s lack of balance with right-back Trippier playing on his unfavoured side throughout the entire tournament in Germany.
Shaw also returned from injury seemingly just at the right time for the latter stages of the Euros, having played 87 minutes of action in two appearances off the bench.
But it appears the Manchester United left-back will keep his place in the dugout against Spain.
Although, it is likely he will come onto the pitch if signs of imbalance remain, just as he did in England’s semi-final victory over the Netherlands, where he replaced Trippier at half-time.
The other talking point ahead of the final was Harry Kane and whether the captain should be benched for the final.
But, despite Ollie Watkins’ late winner against Holland sparking calls for the Aston Villa ace to start and boost England’s mobility in attack, it is highly likely the skipper will lead the line against Spain from the start.
England legend Stuart Pearce was live on air to react to the news and, on the decision to stick with Trippier over Shaw, he admitted the manager is showing loyalty to the players he trusts for the big occasion.
“I think it’ll be a three [at the back] if that is the case, with Trippier and Saka as wing-backs again,” said the former Three Lions defender.
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“What it’s done is it’s shown Gareth’s loyalty, and that there’s a real dollop of loyalty to Tripps. He’s started the tournament in that role, Luke Shaw’s had to be patient, he’s come on and he’s contributed to the cause, but obviously they either don’t think he’s fit enough to see out 90 or 120 minutes of football, or the other side of that is loyalty.
“I think loyalty has played a massive part in this decision, and if that is the case this will be a back-three.”
There might be more to the decision to stick with Trippier against Spain, though, as he prepares to come up against one of the tournaments’ stand-out players, Lamine Yamal.
The teenager – who turned 17 on Saturday on the eve of the final – likes to cut inside and go for goal with his favoured left foot, and having right-footed Trippier defend him could be the perfect foil for the speedy, tricky wonderkid.
“It might well be,” added Pearce. “But out of the two defending in the left-back area I still fancy Shaw just above Trips, I’ve got to say.
“Any good left-back, if you know a player’s strength is coming on the inside, you make sure he goes on the outside, and that’s what Shaw could deliver.”
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Meanwhile, there have been major questions asked about Kane and his lack of sharpness so far at Euro 2024.
England record goalscorer has still managed to score three goals and could well win the Golden Boot if he scores again in the final, but there have been suggestions he is not 100 per cent fit after a long first season in Germany with Bayern Munich.
Still, Pearce argues there’s no way Southgate would consider benching his skipper for a big game like this.
“Prior to the tournament and prior to Watkins coming off the bench and scoring that winning goal [against Netherlands], a lot of people would have said it would be Ivan Toney [to replace Kane] – I certainly did.
“He became the go-to substitute for a couple of games, but it wasn’t against the Netherlands, Gareth picked Watkins instead and look what he did.
“But if Gareth’s got loyalty for Trips for this final, he’ll have a massive loyalty to the captain, and it might just be a game for Harry Kane to start and someone else to finish.”
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday as England bid to make history against Spain. Tune in via the website or the app, and follow our live Euro 2024 blog for all the build-up.