July 8th 2024.
Former English football star Ian Wright is feeling concerned about a particular player as England prepares for their upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands. That player is none other than Harry Kane, who has been struggling to make an impact on the field and has raised doubts about his ability to challenge Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk.
During England's quarter-final match against Switzerland, Kane once again failed to shine, only touching the ball 27 times before being substituted before the penalty shootout. While he has managed to score two goals in this European Championship, they have not been enough to silence his critics. Some have even suggested that he may still be carrying an injury from last season.
Despite these concerns, it is highly unlikely that England's coach Gareth Southgate will drop his captain and a player who scored an impressive 44 goals in just 45 games for his club last season. However, Wright remains worried about Kane's form and fears that it may not be enough to trouble Van Dijk during the semi-final.
"We need someone to make Virgil van Dijk uncomfortable," Wright shared on his podcast, Wrighty's House. "Someone who can put pressure on him and make him uneasy. This is why Harry Kane's form is a worry for me at the moment."
Wright believes that England needs someone who can act as a focal point and stay close to Van Dijk, making him uncomfortable and disrupting his game. Van Dijk is known for his composure and ability to read the game, and Wright believes that Kane may not be the right fit for this role.
Despite his concerns, Wright still has faith in the English team and is confident that they will come out victorious in their match against the Netherlands. The Dutch team has also been in good form, beating Turkey and Romania in the knockout stages after finishing third in their group behind Austria and France.
"My takeaway from the England game is that there's something to build on now," Wright said. "The players are fit and confident, and the return of Luke Shaw could be a massive boost for the team. We should go into this game feeling confident, and I believe that we are capable of beating the Netherlands. My prediction is a 2-1 win for England."
In the other semi-final match, Spain will face off against France, who were the runners-up in the 2018 World Cup. While Spain has been impressive, France has not been able to live up to expectations. However, Wright believes that they should not be underestimated and that it will be a tough match for both teams.
As the excitement builds for the upcoming semi-final matches, fans eagerly await to see if England can secure their spot in the final and potentially bring home the Euro 2024 trophy. With their recent performances and growing confidence, Wright is not the only one who believes that this may be their year.
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