Luke Shaw’s Euro 2024 Dreams Hang in the Balance, Southgate Shares Concerning News
Luke Shaw’s injury battle has taken another turn as England boss Gareth Southgate expresses concerns about the Manchester United star’s availability for the Euro 2024 squad. Shaw, who has had a challenging 2023-24 season plagued by injuries, is currently sidelined with a muscle injury he sustained during United’s 2-1 victory over Luton Town in February. Initial reports suggested that Shaw could be out for the remainder of the season, but no specific timeline for his return has been provided.
The uncertainty surrounding Shaw’s injury has raised doubts about his place in England’s squad heading to Germany this summer. Southgate admits that he and his staff may face a difficult decision when it comes to including Shaw in the team. In fact, Southgate’s recent announcement of England’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium did not include Shaw.
When asked about Shaw’s chances of participating in the Euros, Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live, “Well, we have to say yes is the answer to that because the timelines would suggest he will only be available in the dying embers of the season. You don’t know what version of the player you are going to get.”
While Shaw’s injury battle continues, Southgate and his coaching staff have been exploring other options at left-back for the national team. Ben Chilwell, who has struggled with injuries at Chelsea this season, has only won two caps for England since 2021. Levi Colwill has frequently played in that position for Chelsea. Additionally, Manchester City’s Rico Lewis made his England debut in November against North Macedonia, and Kieran Trippier has been deployed as a left-back in the past.
Shaw has been a significant presence for England in recent major tournaments. He started all five of England’s games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and was the first-choice left-back during Euro 2020, where he even scored in the final against Italy. However, his injury woes have severely limited his playing time this season. The 28-year-old has only made 15 starting appearances due to various injuries. Earlier in the campaign, Shaw was sidelined for three months with a separate muscle issue, causing him to miss three more games over the festive period.
The uncertainty surrounding Shaw’s availability for the Euros not only affects England’s defensive options but also adds to the headache for United manager Erik ten Hag. With Tyrell Malacia also unavailable and unlikely to feature for the remainder of the season, Ten Hag’s left-back options are limited. Lisandro Martinez has been sidelined since early February, and although he will join up with the Argentina national team for friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica, he is not expected to feature in those games. However, United hopes to have Shaw back in action for their game against Brentford on March 30th.
As the Euros draw near, the fate of Luke Shaw’s involvement hangs in the balance. Southgate and his coaching staff will have to carefully consider the risks and rewards of including Shaw in the squad. Will he recover in time and be match-fit enough to contribute effectively? These questions remain unanswered, leaving fans and pundits eagerly awaiting updates on Shaw’s injury battle and his potential role in England’s Euro 2024 campaign.