No country for unfit men. Fast tempo of games in Germany means players have to be in peak condition.
Even if Luke Shaw returns in the round of 16 it's a gamble.
Managers often say of players that the most important ability is availability. Of all the issues currently inhibiting England, the most frustrating is Luke Shaw’s continued absence. Of all the decisions Gareth Southgate has made, the gamble on Shaw looks the most controversial and most ignorant of England tournament history.
So even more than the debate about the intensity of England’s pressing, the naivety of the manager’s comments about Kalvin Phillips, the negative body language, infuriating tendency to sit deep when ahead and failure to bring the best out of Phil Foden, the Shaw situation is potentially the most damning of Southgate. A fit, left-footed left-back would solve many of England’s problems, bringing balance, energy, delivery and support for Foden.
On every day that England host an open training session, we flock faithfully towards their base at Blankenhain, crossing our fingers for positive news about Shaw, a sighting, a sign. The Manchester United left-back appeared briefly last week, and appeared to be moving freely, showing no signs of his hamstring problem. But then all subsequent missives from the Football Association were that he would not be out on the grass but was “continuing his individualised programme elsewhere”.
It’s frustrating for a very good player, probably at his last tournament as he turns 31 during the 2026 World Cup, and England have some good left-backs like Ben Chilwell, Tyrick Mitchell and the versatile Tino Livramento. Chilwell and Livramento were unavailable for Euro 2024 through knee and ankle injuries respectively.
Mitchell could have swelled the Crystal Palace contingent and would have brought a left-sided connection with Marc Guehi. Admittedly, Mitchell never fully convinced on his two England appearances, against Switzerland and Ivory Coast two years ago, but currently flourishes under Oliver Glasner at Palace. He seems far more confident now, defensively solid and enjoying the attacking elements to the wing-back role. Mitchell was available but overlooked and it will be interesting to see if Jamaica intensify their interest in him.