England have, by hook or by crook, made their way to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals this summer, with a game against Switzerland now the only thing between them and a final four berth.
The Three Lions head into the game as heavy favourites, but Gareth Southgate will certainly be wary of the threat a well-drilled Swiss outfit possess.
So how can he get the best of Switzerland from a tactical perspective?
Well that’s what 90min’s team of writers and editors are here to help with…
Toby Cudworth
Four games of four at the back have yielded four pretty terrible performances from England. So, in fairness to Gareth Southgate, he’s right to be switching it up against Switzerland.
Luke Shaw is believed to be fit and I’ve said all along why is he there if he’s not ready to play? Were he at full match sharpness, I’d be inclined to slam him straight in at left centre-back instead of Ezri Konsa. That’s probably not going to happen and Joe Gomez is ahead of the Aston Villa defender in my pecking order.
Bukayo Saka might be dreading playing at left wing-back but there really isn’t any alternative. Phil Foden has been so ineffective but dropping England’s most creative player just doesn’t sit well with me, regardless of how bright Cole Palmer’s cameos have been.
If it’s not working, get earlier substitutes on and change the flow of the game. Waiting around does nothing at this stage.
Sean Walsh
It appears Gareth Southgate is switching to a back-three formation, and after the dross England have served up so far this tournament, I don’t blame him.
It’s not a new system to the Three Lions as they played a 3-4-3 variation for much of their Euro 2020 run, but the attacking personnel have improved greatly.
Needs must with Bukayo Saka at wing-back, but this team has the flexibility to change on the fly and counteract Switzerland’s own system.
Tom Gott
Marc Guehi’s suspension is a game-changer at the back, so a switch to a back three may be needed to cope without pretty much the only England player who is currently set to come out of this tournament with a boost to their reputation.
Kyle Walker’s move into centre-back should open up a spot for Trent Alexander-Arnold to play as a right wing-back, which should bring about the Liverpool man’s best performance of the summer so far. On the other side, Kieran Trippier should start, with Bukayo Saka relegated to an impact role off the bench if needed. This system isn’t built to his strengths, but he could definitely bring an attacking spark if England find themselves chasing the game (again).
Katie Catherall
Southgate will have to adapt his tactics this week and is likely to drop to a back three with Marc Guehi suspended. This actually sets up a pretty nice system in my eyes, and allows us to create a team that may thrive when out of possession.
Ezri Konsa has been given a place in my lineup, he looked great when he came on against Slovakia – albeit a momentary appearance. I’ve stationed Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka on the wings, Saka actually dropped back into that left-back position so well when he needed to against Slovakia. I think the Arsenal star may also be attempting to break the record for the most positions played in a single tournament!
I’ve been on the Trent hype train since day one, and this formation would allow him to impress fans back in a more natural position. I’ve been saying all along that Anthony Gordon needs to step in, in place of Phil Foden, but in this formation I am happy to keep Foden in position, keeping narrow when needed.
Ivan Toney deserves a little mention, his appearance allowed the team to change against Slovakia, giving Harry Kane the chance to drop deeper, which really worked in their favour.
We’re going to need a little more than a magical moment of Bellingham excellence if we are to win over Switzerland – hopefully this team can provide that!
Megan Humphrey
That’s my team, but I’m sure it won’t be Gareth’s!
I’m going for some radical changes. Despite the win, I still believe we played poorly on Sunday. With Marc Guehi suspended, it makes sense to go with a back three this time.
Jamie Spencer
Rumour has it England have been practising a back three formation, having finished against Slovakia that way. Gareth Southgate has used the system to success in both 2018 and 2021, while it also matches up the way Switzerland usually line up.
Someone has to replace the suspended Marc Guehi and it’ll probably be Ezri Konsa. But shifting Kyle Walker in-field and adding wing-backs is a way to get Trent Alexander-Arnold back in the team where he can be more effective, at the same time as keeping midfield solidity and yet also overloading attacking options with two ‘number 10s’.
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