Carlton Cole: Luke Shaw Has To Replace Kieran Trippier For Euros Semi-Final
Former West Ham striker Carlton Cole believes Luke Shaw did enough in the England's Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland to earn a start in the semi-final line-up against Netherlands.
Shaw missed the group stage and England's last-16 extra-time win over Slovakia because of a long-standing hamstring injury.
The left-back's inclusion in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad raised a few eyebrows, but with a place in the final at stake, Shaw's availability could be crucial for the Three Lions in their search for a first Euros title.
Football betting sites have England as second favourites after Spain to win the Euros.
As far as Cole is concerned, Southgate has no option but to start the Manchester United defender, who opened the scoring against Italy in the final of Euro 2020 at Wembley.
"We have to put Luke Shaw in, Kieran Trippier doesn't play for me," Cole said.
"Shaw gives us the balance and that is going to help Harry Kane.
"With Shaw in the side we can go on more overlaps.
"We'll probably see the team click into gear now, because we have the balance and the shape.
"So, we go three at the back with Marc Guehi, John Stones and Kyle Walker. I would have Trent on the right hand side, so you have Walker to help him.
"We have to trust in Gareth. I think he sets his team out to play for 120 minutes. So, the bench is as important as the starters.
"I think the game will go to extra-time, and then it's down to the characters off the bench coming into the fold.
"It's up to Gareth to galvanise the team and say everyone has a role to play here."
The Three Lions, who beat Switzerland on penalties in Saturday's quarter-final, are slight favourites on betting apps to beat Netherlands and make it to back-to-back Euro finals.
