Arsenal legend Martin Keown explains how Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden must play for England to exploit Van Dijk in Euro 2024 semi-final
Arsenal legend and television pundit Martin Keown has offered his advice to Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden ahead of England's Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands. The two teams will take on each other at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund on Wednesday, July 10, for a place in the final.
Spain have already progressed to the final of Euro 2024 by beating France 2-1 in the first semi-final on Tuesday, July 9. La Furia Roja will face the winner of the England-Dutch game in the final on Sunday, July 14.
Ahead of the crucial fixture, Keown has explained how Saka and Foden can combine to make life difficult for the Netherlands. The Arsenal great claimed that if Saka could occupy Nathan Ake, Foden could pose a major problem for Virgil van Dijk.
As per Keown, Van Dijk will have to then choose between tracking Foden or protect the central channel from where Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham could pop up.
Keown was quoted as saying by The Daily Mail:
"The Netherlands will have Nathan Ake at left back, and Virgil van Dijk as the left-sided centre back. Saka can occupy Ake while Foden can present a dilemma to Van Dijk, who must decide whether to stay or go with him. If Van Dijk stays, Foden will have bags of space with which he can get to work. If Van Dijk is teased into coming out of his defensive line to cover him, that will leave a big space in behind which Harry Kane or even Jude Bellingham could exploit."
England are yet to win the Euros while the Netherlands lifted the trophy only once back in 1988. Spain, on the other hand, will be eyeing their fourth European Championship triumph, which will make them record winners.
Premier League star shares his disappointment about missing out on England's Euro 2024 squad
Brentford left-back Rico Henry has admitted that he is frustrated after missing out on a place in England's Euro 2024 squad. The 27-year-old insisted that he could have contributed for the Three Lions, given their lack of left-backs in the squad.
Gareth Southgate named just one left-bak in his Euro 2024 squad in the form of Luke Shaw, who was unfit until England's quarter-final game. The Manchester United full-back has featured just once in the Euros so far, coming on as a substitute against Switzerland.
Highlighting England's left-back problem, Henry said, as quoted by Metro:
"It’s been difficult watching England at Euro 2024 playing without an out-and-out left-back because I know I could do a job there. Luke Shaw has been struggling with an injury and we haven’t got any other left-footed full-backs in the squad. And, when I’ve watched them this summer, I just feel like I could fit so well into that team. It has been frustrating not being there but it’s also been great to watch, seeing them doing well and getting into the quarter-finals."
Henry himself endured a difficult last season because of a knee injury and only made five appearances. He is ready to return during Brentford’s pre-season campaign.