After treading water in a dull and underwhelming journey through Euro 2024, England are now in the deep end, in the quarter-finals and against a hugely impressive Switzerland side who have already knocked out holders Italy. So will Gareth Southgate’s side sink or swim?
The manager has been reluctant to make many changes to the starting XI that begun the tournament but the absence of the excellent Marc Guehi means he has no choice but to make some tweaks against the Swiss, and changing formation might be the best hope he has of getting a tune out of his team.
Some of the best moments of Southgate’s England tenure have come while playing a 5-3-2 and there is a compelling case to bring it back, not least because Murat Yakin has been using the same shape to great effect.
GK: Jordan Pickford
England’s No. 1’s status is secure after a solid tournament. He has rarely been called upon to make actual saves but has had to sharpen his reflexes as danger has never been far away.
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RWB: Kieran Trippier
The Newcastle star has struggled to have much of an impact at left-back for obvious reasons but has worked hard and done his best in a difficult situation. He deserves to keep his place, as long as he recovers from the knock which forced him off against Slovakia, and be restored to his natural right side. He has had a lot of good games as a wing back for England and his defensive qualities make him a more reliable option for the role than Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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GettyCB: Kyle Walker
The suspension of Marc Guehi, England’s most consistent defender if not overall performer in Germany, means reinforcements are needed. And Walker is the best man for the job.
He was not at his sharpest against Slovakia but his long throw helped get England out of jail. He has a lot of experience in a back three for his country and is also used to coming inside at Manchester City ever since Pep Guardiola altered his vision for full-backs.
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GettyCB: John Stones
The City defender needs to improve on his performances but he is still the most experienced centre-back in the squad and, in the absence of Guehi, the most talented. He should be helped by the understanding he has worked up with Walker for club and country and should have no trouble relearning his trade in a back three.
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GettyCB: Joe Gomez
The Liverpool defender’s lack of minutes at the tournament has been surprising due to England’s left-back issues as he spent much of last season playing in the position for Liverpool. His experience makes him the ideal candidate to play on the left of the back three and he should be feeling fresh and sharp, raring to finally get involved.
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GettyLWB: Bukayo Saka
The Arsenal star may have declared he did not want to play at left-back but he found himself thrust into the position for 20 minutes against Slovakia and did a pretty decent job. He is more accustomed to playing at left wing-back, a role he carried out at England youth level and in his early days in the Arsenal side, and his ability to chime with his team-mates makes him suited for the role in a one-off game.
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GettyRCM: Declan Rice
Rice would have a little more freedom to get forward with five defenders behind him and that could be just what he needs after having an underwhelming tournament so far, to put it kindly.
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Getty ImagesCM: Jude Bellingham
The Real Madrid star had one of his worst games in recent memory against Slovakia until he produced one of the finest goals of his career to rescue England. That moment of genius showed the value of having him on the pitch even when he is underperforming.
Bellingham resembled Michael Jordan when he pointed the finger at critics after the game and if he can find ways to motivate himself to produce more top draw moments, then England stand a good chance of going through.
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Getty ImagesLCM: Phil Foden
Many pundits have been clamouring for Foden to play alongside Bellingham and Rice in the midfield three and the 5-3-2 shape is the perfect opportunity to try it out. The Manchester City star is yet to score in Germany but he has looked increasingly bright and it is only a matter of time before something comes off for him. And with Saka and Gomez protecting the left side, he will have more licence to come inside.
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GettyFW: Cole Palmer
The Chelsea forward has featured too little in the tournament but has made an impact in the last two matches off the bench. Playing in a front two would allow him to dovetail with Kane while the presence of Trippier would allow him to come inside more often and get on to his lethal left foot.
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GettyFW: Harry Kane
It is no secret that England have not seen the best version of Kane at this Euros. But he has still scored half of their goals and no one is better than the European Golden Shoe winner when it comes to locating the net. Palmer’s qualities could also bring the best out of him, as Son Heung-min did during their highly productive spell at Tottenham.
Source Goal.com
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