England manager Gareth Southgate reportedly considers a switch to a three-man defence for Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
England manager Gareth Southgate is reportedly giving consideration to a change in formation for Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
The Three Lions boss has witnessed his troops only just squeak by into the last eight of the current iteration of the Championships, where they have not won a game in 90 minutes since the opening day.
Southgate has persisted with a 4-2-3-1 system throughout the Euros with 10 constants in the XI, only failing to decide on a permanent partner for Declan Rice, trialling all of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo in the middle.
However, England have been lambasted for a lack of attacking ingenuity, a poor press and constant backwards and sidewards passing in their current system, which has not got the best out of a few star players.
The left flank has been highlighted as a particular area of concern for the Three Lions, as Phil Foden has often drifted in centrally, while Kieran Trippier has been forced to fill in for the injured Luke Shaw in England’s opening four games.
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Southgate to switch to three-man defence?
While Jude Bellingham has scored twice at the Euros and saved England’s bacon with an amazing bicycle kick against Slovakia in the last 16, there is a consensus that his performances have not cut the mustard either.
According to The Times, England spent most of Wednesday’s training session practising with a three-man defence, which Southgate is seriously considering putting out for Saturday’s showdown.
England are expected to face a three-man backline when they face Switzerland, who have operated with Fabian Schar, Manuel Akanji and Ricardo Rodriguez protecting Yann Sommer during their impressive start.
In the group phase, the Rossocrociati were only denied victory over hosts Germany by a last-gasp Niclas Fullkrug leveller, before deservedly eliminating reigning champions Italy in the last 16.
Southgate reverting to a three-man wall would see him place his faith in the defensive system that got England to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, although he will already be forced into one alteration.
What could England’s new formation look like?
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In what will be his 100th match in charge of his nation, Southgate must cope without suspended Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who has been one of England’s most impressive performers at the tournament so far.
Out of a handful of options to replace Guehi, Southgate is reportedly leaning towards Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, who would join Kyle Walker and John Stones in front of Jordan Pickford.
The 53-year-old could either opt for a 3-4-3 shape or the 3-5-2 system that they ended the Slovakia win with, as Ivan Toney is pushing to partner Harry Kane up top following his brilliant cameo last time out.
The latter formation could see all of Bellingham, Foden and Rice operate centrally, while Trippier and Bukayo Saka could arguably play in either wing-back role; the latter was forced to see out the Slovakia success at left-back.
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