Luke Shaw has played only 42 minutes at Euro 2024, although even Gareth Southgate’s harshest critic would have to accept it should have been many, many more.
It transpired on Monday that the left back had been on course to feature against either Denmark or Slovenia in the group stage until suffering another setback in his rehabilitation from a longstanding hamstring problem that, briefly, left him fearing that his tournament was over before it had begun.
That admission painted a very difficult picture of the issue that has been tormenting the nation ever since England arrived in Germany.
“The plan was to come back around the second or third game. Unfortunately, I had a little setback,” Shaw, the Manchester United defender, said. “I worked so hard and then for something like that to happen, I was, of course, worried. It was just in training, I overstretched to be honest. But I had a scan and it wasn’t too bad. It was only a minor one.
“So I knew there was an opportunity to come back and play later in the tournament. Mentally, it is tough. Sometimes you think, ‘Am I going to be OK?’ But I’m here now and happy.”
Advertisement
The original timeline of Shaw’s recovery from the problem he first suffered in February highlights why England were, first, prepared to name him in their 26-man squad and, second, why Southgate picked only one left back.
Perhaps the 28-year-old might have been more susceptible to niggles and strains, but plain old bad luck has also played a part in limiting his influence until now.
Shaw, himself, confessed to being “surprised” that he was the only recognised left back in the party, but quickly added a caveat about right-footed Kieran Trippier so as not to make headlines about the choices of a manager whose faith he is now determined to repay.
“Maybe a little bit,” Shaw said, “but I also know how good a job Kieran Trippier can do at left back, I sort of saw him as left-back cover anyway. Little bit of a surprise but not too much.”
Now the waiting is over, the key is how Shaw can improve an England side still striving to click through the gears. When introduced against Switzerland in the quarter-final last Saturday, it was as the left-sided centre back in the 3-4-2-1 formation that brought a little more cohesion.
Advertisement
Whether he now shifts over to left wingback [or left back if the system changes again] is the key call Southgate must make. England’s right flank was dominant against the Swiss, as Shaw’s close friend Bukayo Saka tormented his markers, but the opportunity to boost the output from the left by deploying someone who can naturally pass down the line, accurately and quickly, will be tempting.
“It might make the balance better, having a left-footed player on that side, but I don’t think it will change too much with the team,” Shaw said. “Tripps has done really well, and always has done for his country. He’s a really important player for us.
“I have to have belief. Belief, I can help the team and, of course, make the team better. Maybe also Gareth sees that and maybe it is why he brought me, because he knows the qualities I have and what I can bring to the team.
“For me it was about getting everything right to make sure I am fit and raring to go. Now I’m at that stage where I am and I feel really good, so I’m happy with the place I’m at.
“It’s solely down to Gareth’s decision on what he does but how I feel… I feel fit and ready to go.”
Advertisement
It was the Dutchman in the camp — the attack coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink — who put his natural affiliation to one side on Monday and ensured training was buoyant two days before another landmark game in England’s recent history.
“He helps not just the strikers, but a lot of the lads,” Shaw added. “And also has the advice from what he’s done in the game to pass on. He brings a lot of laughs, that’s just the way. He’s very confident.
“He likes a little bit of a joke and he brings the positive energy around the camp and makes people smile.”
Light relief will give way to game faces as England pursue progress into a first ever final of a major competition on foreign soil. Shaw, of course, scored the opening goal in the final of Euro 2020 before dreams turned to dust at the hands of Italy.
It means the high point of his career has still to be written, with Shaw having no time for hard luck stories.
Advertisement
“It’s hard to have happy memories. I try not to think about it,” he said. “There’s not many good memories from that goal. Of course, the result really killed that, to be honest.
“It adds even more motivation to this tournament to put things right.”
