Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says Luke Shaw will be a great player once he’s had a decent rest.
As we’ve noted, Shaw won’t be spending his summer representing England at the European Under-21 Championship finals in the Czech Republic. We’re were unsure why? Shaw had been concussed at United’s match at Crystal Palace – and concussion must no longer be taken lightly.
But the Times says Gareth Southgate, the England Under-21 head coach, “bowed to Van Gaal’s demands not to include the left back in his squad for the tournament” – news that will anger pretty much ever other manager who sees international tournaments as an upset to their preparations for the domestic season ahead.
Van Gaal says it is a matter of Shaw’s health.
“It’s a medical question,” said the United boss.
“I spoke with Roy Hodgson two months ago when there was an international break. Luke Shaw was also invited then. I convinced Hodgson also not to take him [to Lithuania and Italy in March – well before Shaw was concussed].
“Now I have spoken with Gareth Southgate and I have convinced him, too, and also my doctor has convinced the doctor of the under-21s.”
“Then I have read I’m the winner of the debate, but it’s not like that because Luke Shaw is the winner. Why is he the winner? We have to develop great talent, and he is a great talent, only it was maybe too fast, this step from Southampton to Manchester United, and we have to protect that.”
Calum Chambers left Southampton for Arsenal. He’s in the England U21 squad. Should The Gunners now pull their ‘winner’ from the summer tournament?
“The most important thing is that Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate, the medical department of the English federation and Manchester United and the manager of Manchester United are agreed that we have to protect him so he can develop himself to the greater talent,” adds Van Gaal.
What then for Harry Kane, the Spurs tyro has played 52 times this season, scoring 31 goals? Spurs’ prize asset is in danger of playing too much high-pressure football. Chances are that Kane will be picked for the full England squad in Euro 2016. Kane will have played a lot of football.
If Luke Shaw is the “winner” then Spurs and Kane are the losers.