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England team news: Luke Shaw poised to start on bench vs Netherlands
England manager Gareth Southgate likely to recall Marc Guehi in place of Ezri Konsa for Euro 2024 semi-final with Netherlands in Dortmund
Marc Guehi is set to be recalled to the England team for the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands but Luke Shaw’s comeback from injury may continue from the bench.
Guehi, 23, was suspended for the victory against Switzerland in the quarter-finals after picking up two bookings but Gareth Southgate has been planning to face the Dutch with the Crystal Palace defender in a back three.
Ezri Konsa stepped in for Guehi for the win over the Swiss in Düsseldorf but is expected to be among the substitutes in Dortmund, with Southgate poised to stick with his formation that he changed for the last round.
Shaw came off the bench against Switzerland for the last 42 minutes of the match and played an important part in taking the tie to a penalty shoot-out but Southgate has also been impressed with Kieran Trippier’s performances at left-back or wing-back, saying he “has been so important on so many big nights for us”.
After playing his first match since February, Shaw declared himself fit to start matches at the Euros after his comeback. “Of course, I think I am [fit and ready to play 90 minutes],” Shaw said earlier this week. “That is down to Gareth’s decision. I feel fit and ready to go.”
Southgate has used all-but three of his outfield players during the tournament and believes all players could play a part this week, with team spirit playing a big part in the journey to the latter stages of the tournament.
“So many of the squad have played such important roles at different moments, which I think has kept not only them involved but other players who would have liked to have played a bit more,” Southgate said. “They know it’s possible to come into these games and be in these games at crucial times.
“We had Ed Sheeran in to sing and that was great. The players had a couple of beers before the last game. You can bond in that way. But when you’re having to head the ball out your box in the 92nd minute or having to find a goal in the 96th minute, there is nothing stronger than that for building the spirit of the team.”