Gareth Southgate is set to scrap his current strategy for Euro 2024 and fundamentally change England's formation to strengthen his squad and deploy his best players in the best positions.
For Saturday's quarter-final against Switzerland, England are likely to switch to a three-man centre-back system in a competitive match for the first time since the Euro 2020 final against Italy three years ago. Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden Both jumped 10 times.
It is one of the options Southgate has been experimenting with in training. Sky Sports News He is said to have tried different formations and deployed different players in different roles.
The England manager is clearly yet to decide who will fill central midfield. Declan Rice – England need to make a key decision if they are to avoid being overwhelmed in that department against Switzerland in their quarter-final on Saturday.
The planned lineup change appears to be driven by two factors. Mark GuehiHe has been England's most consistent defender so far in the competition, and Southgate personally admits that his players have been unable to perform to their best level so far in Germany.
Kieran TrippierFollowing concerns over a minor calf problem sustained against Slovakia and a nasty knock to his knee, his availability could mean Southgate has a change of heart and could return to a flatter back four. But at the moment in training, that is not an option. Sky Sports News I understand.
It looks like the three centre-backs are set up like this: John Stones, Ezri Consa and Kyle Walker – If Switzerland do break through the England defence, Walker's pace would be an ideal foil to sweep past them.
Ezri Konsa (left) looks set to replace suspended Marc Guehi (right) in England's defence.
However, Southgate is yet to decide who will play as wing-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka, Trippier – And even God bless you – The possibility of performing the role. Luke ShawThe inclusion of was not ruled out.
What will England's attack look like?
If Southgate switches to three centre-backs as expected, it is unclear whether England's formation will be a 3-4-3, 3-5-2 or even a 3-4-2-1, with Bellingham and Foden taking on creative roles. Harry KaneSouthgate is thought to have tried all these formations in training with Blankenhain ahead of the game.
How best to accommodate Bellingham is a key challenge. In many ways he is England's best player, but he is also Southgate's biggest problem.
For a more accessible video player, please use the Chrome browser.
Jude Bellingham sent England's match against Slovakia into extra time with a stunning overhead kick in the 95th minute, sparking celebrations across England.
Southgate could ask him to play deeper than he has done all season at Real Madrid – as a No 8 rather than a No 10 – but there are concerns that he may not have the positional discipline to be effective defensively after not playing in that role for so long.
Also, giving Bellingham and Foden a free role runs the risk of them occupying each other's space and making the same moves – something that has already been a problem this tournament when Foden has cut in from the left wing.
Another option being considered, according to sources, is to play one of the following: Kobe Mainu or Connor Gallagher He will play in the 'Number 6' role alongside Declan Rice, providing a buffer of two defensive midfielders – a common feature for Southgate during his time as England manager – but limiting the number of attacking players on the pitch.
Other options that line up in a 3-5-2 formation include: Ivan Tony Next Cain Before.
For a more accessible video player, please use the Chrome browser.
Ivan Toney responds to Gareth Southgate's comments.
Toney impressed Southgate with his performance in extra time at Gelsenkirchen, setting up Kane for the eventual winner. He also held the ball well and provided England with an outlet when under pressure in defence, something the England captain has been lacking in many games so far as he has dropped deeper to influence play.
Either way, the winger presence in Southgate's squad will be of no use against Switzerland, with every system the England manager is considering relying on wing-backs to provide width, rather than wingers up front.
What it means is Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen It is expected that it will be difficult to get playing time in the quarterfinals. Cole Palmer Option 10: Probably coming off the bench.
However, depending on how the game progresses, Southgate has the manpower to switch to a back four or other formation options and use players from the bench. The England manager has made bold substitutions in games so far, changing players at half-time or early in the second half.
Who will start as wingback?
When it comes to wing-backs, Southgate has plenty of options, but none have played in that role for his club in recent times. of The biggest challenge was that he told the press ahead of the round of 16 match that he did not want to move to full-back.
For a more accessible video player, please use the Chrome browser.
Ahead of the last 16 clash against Slovakia, Bukayo Saka has given his opinion on whether he would be a good candidate to start at left-back for England.
Nevertheless, he did so briefly in the extra-time chaos against Slovakia and is likely to be asked to do so again on Saturday, perhaps switching from right wing to left wing-back.
Southgate has not yet ruled out the possibility. show He was told to start at left wing-back, despite the fact that it would be a huge risk for the Manchester United defender as he has not played any competitive football in almost five months.
Shaw is desperate to play and feels fit and ready after a week of training without any reaction. Southgate has yet to decide whether including him from the start in the quarter-finals is a risk worth taking. He must also decide whether he is prepared to sacrifice Saka in the process.
The right one must be selected directly. Alexander-Arnold and TrippierBoth players could be called upon to fulfil their natural roles at Liverpool and Newcastle respectively.
England held a closed-door training session behind closed doors on Thursday, but it is thought Southgate was using the period to fine-tune some of his new positional plans.
The England manager usually informs his players of his final starting XI the day before a match, so there is still a lot to decide.
But after calls for change from pundits and fans outside the camp, it has become clear that Southgate is planning a radical overhaul of his side ahead of a key quarter-final clash.
England's chances of reaching the Euro 2024 final
uk Will play Swiss The quarter-finals will be held in Düsseldorf on Saturday at 5pm (UK time).
If England beat Switzerland and progress to the last four, they will face each other in the semi-finals in Dortmund on Wednesday, July 10. The match kicks off at 8pm UK time.
Netherlands and Turkey Three Lions' semi-final opponents are as follows: The final will be held in Berlin on Sunday 14 July. Kick-off is at 8pm UK time.
