Featured Image Credit: Getty/Rest Is Football YouTube
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Switzerland, UEFA
Marcus Banks
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Switzerland, UEFA
Gareth Southgate has been urged to make a number of changes to his starting XI to face Switzerland.
England survived a scare against Slovakia in the round of 16 with Jude Bellingham equalising late in injury time with a superb overhead kick before Harry Kane netted the winner just minutes into extra-time.
The Three Lions will face the Swiss who dominated against defending champions Italy to send them crashing out of the competition.
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Southgate made just one change for the Slovakia win, Kobbie Mainoo replacing Conor Gallagher, and fans have been calling for a radical change to the system that is viewed by many as not working.
Despite his heroic goal which spared England’s blushes, there have been calls for Bellingham to drop out of the team, potentially to allow Manchester City’s Phil Foden to move inside to the number 10 position.
Former England international Alan Shearer believes it’s ‘ridiculous’ to suggest the Real Madrid man should drop to the bench.
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“There is no way he should be dropped,” he said on The Rest is Football podcast.
“How can you drop him? It’s ridiculous.
“Of course he shouldn’t be dropped, he’s got to be in the team.”
Both Gary Lineker and Micah Richards agreed that Bellingham must retain his place in the side however England might have no choice in the matter.
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The 21-year-old is currently under investigation from UEFA for a gesture he made following his equaliser against Slovakia.
Initially, it was thought the youngster would face no punishment but UEFA confirmed on Monday and inquiry had been launched.
Their statement read: “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct by the English Football Association player, Jude Bellingham, having allegedly occurred in the scope of this match.”
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Bellingham wrote on X that the gesture was an ‘inside joke’ with close friends in the stadium but faces the potential of a ban if found guilty.
England play Switzerland on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.