Real recognise real
Luke Shaw’s mesmerising performances at Euro 2020 have not gone unnoticed.
After missed the first group game against Croatia, when Kieran Trippier was preferred at left-back, Shaw has come into the side and made the spot his own with a series of superb displays in an England shirt.
The highlight of his tournament – and England’s tournament – came against Ukraine in the quarter-finals, when he dominated the left side of the pitch, providing two assists; one for Harry Kane and the other for Harry Maguire.
This brilliant spell of form has earned him plaudits from around the globe and even seen the Manchester United star dubbed ‘Shawberto Carlos’, a nod to the Brazilian legend and one of the all time great left-backs, Roberto Carlos.
Carlos has even praised the Englishman’s performances in this tournament, telling PA Sport: “You can see he’s very motivated, his performance against Ukraine was very good.
“He’s been improving each game. I think he’s got everything to get to the top. He’s the left-back for England — that in itself says a lot.”
Shaw has since responded to Carlos’ kind words. When speaking to Josh Denzel in the ‘Lions Den‘ at St George’s Park, he said:
“I hadn’t even seen any of that but it’s so nice to hear those things from one of the best left-backs ever.
“After I saw he’d followed me and commented on my photo, I couldn’t believe it. I take massive respect from it.”
As England prepare to face Denmark at Wembley on Wednesday in the semi-finals, pressure on the team is building. Beating Germany and Ukraine will mean very little if the Three Lions do not take the next step to the final.
But the pressure does not seem to be affecting the players.
“It’s best to ignore it all,” Shaw said.
“Inside the camp we are all very positive. Whatever has been said on the outside we just block it out. We know we are in a big moment and an even bigger moment in tomorrow’s game so it’s one we just have to go out and enjoy and do what we’ve been doing.”
