Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how England could line up for Wednesday’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
On the verge of making back-to-back European Championship finals, England will convene with the Netherlands on Wednesday, for a last-four contest in Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate‘s squad have yet to reach the heights required by an expectant public, partly due to a lack of balance without an available specialist left-back: Luke Shaw was left out of the first four games while recovering from injury but made his Euro 2024 bow last weekend and could now even start in the semi-final.
Scorer of the opening goal in the 2021 final, Shaw has declared himself ready to play 90 minutes if required, but risk-averse Southgate may err on the side of caution instead, again starting Kieran Trippier but then introducing the Manchester United man later on.
Another selection dilemma awaits in central defence, where Marc Guehi was ruled out of the penalty shootout win over Switzerland by suspension and impressively replaced by Ezri Konsa.
It will be a straight fight between the two to start alongside John Stones in midweek, but whether Southgate opts for a three or four-man back line remains to be seen.
Either way, Kobbie Mainoo‘s place in midfield now seems assured, with Declan Rice joining last term’s breakthrough star in England’s engine room.
Though yet to fully click in the final third, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka provide an able supporting cast for captain Harry Kane, who was withdrawn due to cramp on Saturday.
Despite registering 44 goals and 12 assists during his first season at Bayern Munich, the latter has been below his best so far this summer; nonetheless, back-up strikers Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins must wait and hope to make their mark from off the bench.
England possible starting lineup: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier; Bellingham, Foden; Kane
> Click here to see how Netherlands could line up for this semi-final contest
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