England are preparing to face the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024, with one of Gareth Southgate’s selection decisions centering around captain Harry Kane
Alan Shearer has insisted that Harry Kane has to start England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, despite the striker’s troubles during the tournament.
Kane has scored just two goals in the Three Lions’ run to the final four, against Denmark and Slovakia. There have been some calls for boss Gareth Southgate to drop his captain for the clash against the Dutch.
Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins have both made appearances off the bench in Germany, with the former having a sizeable impact in the Last 16 and the quarter-finals. But Shearer, who was the top scorer at Euro 96, has demanded Kane keep his place.
The Newcastle legend did admit though that Southgate must urge his skipper to change his game. Shearer cautioned Kane to bring an end to his tendancy to drop deep and help out with defending.
“Unless Harry Kane is injured, he plays. He’s the captain and the record goalscorer. There’s no way you can leave him out. Yes, he’s not looked as sharp as we would like him to but he has got two goals,” he told Betfair.
“Whether he’s carrying an injury I don’t know but he certainly hasn’t looked sharp. We all know that if a chance falls to him then he’ll more than likely put it away. What was said to me when I hit my 30s was to play in the 18-yard box and not worry about tracking outside of that.
“I know Harry likes to come short and spray passes about which he’s very good at but his best work needs to be in the box because that’s his game and he wants goals. We also have players who can do the job of passing and coming short – it doesn’t need to be him.
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“I’d play Harry Kane but I’d be telling him to do his work in the box rather than coming back. You wouldn’t bet against Harry getting another one or two goals in the semi-finals and final and that’s the right of reply you have as a forward.”
Despite England having struggled in their performances so far this tournament, Shearer believes Southgate should only make one change for the Netherlands game.
” Luke Shaw did well when he came on against Switzerland considering the amount of time he’s been out injured. His positioning was good and he defended well when he had to – he’s a great option for Gareth to have. Whether he starts against Netherlands or not, we’ll have to see,” he added.
“Team wise, he may go with the same team that beat Switzerland and may bring Marc Guehi back in after suspension. That would be my starting XI. I think Gareth will stick with Kieran Trippier and bring Guehi back in to replace Ezri Konsa, who I thought had a good game.
“The squad will be buzzing now. They’ll be flying with confidence and they’ll be desperate to get out and play on Wednesday against the Netherlands. It could be a stressful, long evening again but I think England will just edge this one.”
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