Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has launched a characteristically forthright critique on England and defender Luke Shaw, following the team's laboured 1-0 win against Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener.
Keane, working as a pundit for ITV Sport, did not hold back in his assessment of the overall performance, branding it "really bad" in the second half and questioning the team's mentality after taking an early lead through Jude Bellingham.
Keane's Scathing Take on Defensive Fragility
The Irishman pinpointed the left-back position as a major area of concern for Gareth Southgate's side. With Luke Shaw still not match-fit following a long-term injury, right-footed Kieran Trippier was deployed on the left flank, disrupting the team's natural balance.
"The problem with the left-back area is a big issue," Keane stated emphatically. "We mention about the balance, but the players out there tonight, the attacking players, they have to do better. They have to show that bit of character and quality."
A Brutal Verdict on Shaw's Availability
Keane saved his most cutting remarks for Shaw himself, expressing severe doubt over the defender's ability to contribute meaningfully to the tournament. His comments suggest a belief that Shaw's inclusion in the 26-man squad may have been a misstep by the England management.
"I don’t think he’ll kick a ball in this tournament," Keane declared with stark certainty. "If you’re not fit now, with the injuries… with three or four weeks to get fit… I think it’s a huge ask for him to get up to speed and to play at this level."
This brutal prognosis throws England's defensive strategy into sharp relief and increases the pressure on Southgate to find a more permanent solution on the left side of his defence as the tournament progresses.
