Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier is preparing to represent England in another semi final of a major tournament.

After beating Switzerland on penalties on Saturday night, the Three Lions have qualified for the final four of Euro 2024. They will face Netherlands on Wednesday, as Gareth Southgate reaches his third semi final as England manager.

He has done it with Kieran Trippier starting on the left of defence in every game, which came as a surprise on Saturday. The expectation was that England would play with a back five, and it felt like that would result in the end of Trippier having to play out of position.

There has been a lot of debate from pundits about the Newcastle player’s role in the team, but he continued on the left as England beat Switzerland.

Luke Shaw returns for England

But he did not play the full game, and was actually replaced in the 78th minute. Luke Shaw came on to play for the first time since February, and provided much greater balance down the left.

England could suddenly attack much more comfortably down that side of the pitch, and his introduction certainly had a positive impact.

Now Southgate has a big decision to make, as he aims to find a way past Netherlands and reach a second consecutive Euros final.

Gary Lineker shares his verdict on Kieran Trippier

The England manager needs to decide who should play on the left – Trippier or Shaw. Fans would rather see Shaw, but it will largely depend on his fitness.

Now Gary Lineker has had his say, and has explained on The Rest Is Football podcast why he thinks the Manchester United defender will start on the left ahead of Trippier.

“Will he (Gareth Southgate) start him (Luke Shaw)?” he said.

“I mean, he is not going to be able to play 90 minutes yet, but he might play an hour. So, do you start him and do that (take him off in the second half)? As a player, I would prefer that.

“Or do you wait and then bring him on if need be to give a bit more? Because he definitely would give us a better balance.

“Trippier, I think, has done a good job and he tried and he got up and played high, but he is not a natural left-back, he is not, he is not. Luke Shaw is. Luke Shaw is amazing. It’s like he has never been away.

“My feeling is that we will play the same way, but I think Luke Shaw will start.”

The criticism that has come Trippier’s way is fair. He is not a left-back. It is clear that he is uncomfortable on that side of the pitch, and it has certainly hindered England.

However, it has been a case of needs must, and the 33-year-old has done an adequate job in a desperate situation.

But now that situation may have resolved itself, with Shaw finally fit again. Lineker thinks he should start against Netherlands, and I am inclined to agree.

Anthony Gordon continues to be ignored

That will likely result in Trippier dropping to the bench, where he will be alongside Newcastle United teammate Anthony Gordon.

The 23-year-old was not expected to start against Switzerland, and once again he failed to even get off the bench. Southgate ignored Gordon again, meaning his only Euro 2024 appearance remains a five minute cameo against Slovenia.

While it is great that England have got so far in the competition, it is really demoralising to see Gordon fail to feature given the impact he could have.

A lot of people wanted him to start for the Three Lions at the Euros, yet now you wonder why Southgate bothered including him in the squad at all.

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