Gareth Southgate ready to ‘rip up’ England starting XI with Bellingham and Foden in new positions and back three
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate is prepared to radically change his starting line-up ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
Despite reaching the last eight, the Three Lions have struggled to impress so far this summer.
They topped Group C after picking up five points from a possible nine and scraped through a last-16 meeting with Slovakia thanks to late heroics from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
In an attempt to improve things on the pitch, Southgate is prepared to make a significant change to his starting line-up.
He will “likely” switch from a back four to a back three, according to Sky Sports.
The “radical” change was “not on the agenda” when England first arrived in Germany.
But due to the team’s unprecedented run of poor form Southgate has been forced to try something different.
The proposed switch could see Phil Foden move inside from the left to join Jude Bellingham in the centre of midfield.
Marc Guehi will be suspended for the match after picking up two yellow cards, so Ezri Konsa could step in to replace him.
To complete a potential England back three, Kyle Walker could move inside from the right.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold, who started two of three group games in midfield, could play as a right wing-back.
Alternatively, Bukayo Saka could keep his spot on the right.
On the other side of the pitch, Kieran Trippier will likely keep his place in the line-up.
Or Anthony Gordon might be handed his first start as a left wing-back.
Southgate could also decide to start two strikers with Ivan Toney, who impressed after coming on against Slovakia, joining Harry Kane in attack.