Euro 2020: Mourinho slams Shaw’s ‘very poor’ corners in England win

Jose Mourinho has delivered a withering assessment of Luke Shaw’s corners in his breakdown of England’s 1-0 victory against Czech Republic at Wembley.

An early header from Raheem Sterling was the decisive goal for England on Tuesday night, meaning they’ve finished top of Group D and will be watching things unfold in the so-called ‘Group of Death’ to learn their last-16 opponents. 

Mourinho, speaking to talkSPORT, said that overall he was impressed with England but suggested whoever they come up against next out of France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary, Gareth Southgate should take Shaw off corner duty.

Mourinho and Shaw had a fractious relationship in their time together at Manchester United

‘The negative thing I would say is once more they were very poor on attacking corners,’ Mourinho explained.

‘The service was dramatically bad. They have so many good players to attack corners. The crosses are not passing the first man.

‘Luke Shaw, in my opinion, very good tonight but very poor on the corner. Phillips, the same.

‘England has great power at this level and going to knockouts, one corner can decide a game.’

Mourinho and Shaw endured a difficult relationship when the Portuguese was the Manchester United manager. Mourinho infamously once said Shaw was ‘playing with my brain’ because he needed constant instructions from the touchline.

Speaking prior to England’s opening Euro 2020 match against Croatia, Mourinho also delivered a thinly-veiled barb in Shaw’s direction when picking his own Three Lions starting line-up.

‘Left-back I would go with Chilwell, I wouldn’t think twice,’ Mourinho told talkSPORT.

‘I know that he plays normally at Chelsea with five (in defence) but he is intelligent, he covers the space and the diagonals inside very well.

‘He is dangerous in attack, he is good in the air, he is good at set-pieces, he can defend well the possible long build-up from Croatia in the first phase.’

Asked why he wouldn’t pick Shaw, Mourinho added: ‘I think he has had a good season. Clearly an evolution in terms of emotion and professionalism.

Mourinho said that corners aside, Shaw played well for England against Czech Repbublic

Shaw and his England team-mates are now preparing for the last-16 round of Euro 2020

‘But I think Chilwell has something more, especially with the ball, the way he thinks and how he is calm under pressure. I like Chilwell.’ 

Chilwell is currently in isolation alongside Chelsea team-mate Mason Mount after coming into close contact with Billy Gilmour, who has since tested positive for Covid-19, following the 0-0 draw with Scotland.

Chilwell hasn’t played at all in the tournament yet, while Mount had played every minute for England until the Czech Republic match.

Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Shaw has produced his best ever form at United and speaking earlier this year, admitted he was low on confidence under Mourinho.

Shaw has said he has more confidence since he has been playing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

‘I don’t want to come across like I was a little kid who could not deal with being put under pressure because at a big club like Manchester United,’ Shaw told Sky Sports. ‘You are always going to be under pressure and under the spotlight. That makes you mentally stronger.

‘But I had no confidence at that time. I was losing my belief. I think that is what changed with Ole. He managed me right and I got my confidence back and I am really enjoying it at the moment.

‘Enjoyment and confidence. For me, they are the two biggest things you need on the pitch. You need that belief in your ability to perform at the highest level. I feel I have that now.’