Roy Keane insisted that Luke Shaw should be England’s first choice left-at the European Championships because of his performances with Manchester United.
Speaking on ITV yesterday, Keane and the panel were weighing up Gareth Southgate’s best full-back combinations ahead of the tournament.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out through injury, the Three Lions are down to three options on the right-hand side.
But the left flank is a straight shootout between Shaw and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell.
United’s defender started Sunday’s 1-0 friendly win over Romania, his first competitive action since the Europa League final last month.
Keane felt that Southgate should select Shaw over Chilwell for the Euros, based on his excellent campaign at club level.
“I think it would have to be Shaw,” said the Red Devils legend.
“I think consistently this year he has been outstanding, going forward like modern full-backs, and defensively no one has really got the better of him.”
Shaw and Chilwell strong contenders
Very few can argue with Shaw’s reliability across the season.
The 25-year-old’s efforts were recognised by his United peers, who voted him as their players’ player of the year.
He also finished second behind Bruno Fernandes for the Sir Matt Busby player of the term, a prize voted for by supporters.
Interestingly, Shaw does have previous experience of an international tournament that might edge him over Chilwell.
Roy Hodgson called him up for his 2014 World Cup squad whilst he was still playing for Southampton.
Chilwell too has enjoyed the last nine months after signing for Chelsea last summer.
His final domestic contribution was to claim Champions League glory at the expensive of Manchester City.
With just under a week before England’s first Euros fixture, Southgate doesn’t have long to decide which of the two Premier League stars will take the left-back slot.
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