sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Gareth Southgate facing his biggest England selection dilemma at Euro 2024 yet as huge team news leaks before Switzerland clash
Home>Football>England
Published 07:56 5 Jul 2024 GMT+1

Gareth Southgate facing his biggest England selection dilemma at Euro 2024 yet as huge team news leaks before Switzerland clash

Southgate is considering a switch to a back three for the quarter-final clash against Switzerland.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Gareth Southgate is facing arguably his biggest England selection dilemma to date ahead of this weekend's quarter-final clash against Switzerland.

England will take on an in-form Swiss team in Dusseldorf on Saturday and it sounds like he is ready to 'radically change' his tactical plan for the match.

Southgate is reportedly considering switching to a back three to cope with the loss of Marc Guehi, who is suspended after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Slovakia.

John Stones, Ezri Konsa and Kyle Walker look set to take up those positions, according to Sky Sports News.

Advert

It is an unfamiliar formation for the Three Lions. In fact, they haven't played three at the back since their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy at Wembley.

But the squad has been testing it out again in training ahead of facing Switzerland, along with a number of other tactical alterations, including playing Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as two No 10s.

Perhaps the biggest question mark remains over who will start in the two wing-back roles.

On the right, Trent Alexander-Arnold has flourished in that position for Liverpool in years gone by, while Bukayo Saka was switched to the left flank in their last-16 clash.

But it now looks like Luke Shaw will be fit to play a part on Saturday, according to The Telegraph, meaning Southgate must decide whether to stick or twist when it comes the Manchester United full-back, who hasn't played for 140 days.

It was always Southgate's plan to ease Shaw into the tournament by bringing him off the bench, so it will be interesting to see if the England boss gambles against the Swiss.

The 28-year-old, who has not played a competitive game since February 18 when he started for United in their 2-1 victory against Luton Town, made just 15 appearances for United last season.

Image credit: Getty
Image credit: Getty

Shaw has since opened up on the decision to start that Premier League clash against Luton, and conceded both he and United's medical staff made a mistake.

"I felt something against Aston Villa and came off at half-time," he said. "It’s kind of everyone’s fault. Partly my fault, partly medical staff, I think everyone would admit that.

"I didn’t train the whole week. The scan came back and there wasn’t too much there. But I didn’t train all week, then trained the day before the game. If the manager asks me to play, I’m never going to say no. I shouldn’t have played (at Luton)."

Shaw continued: "The circumstances were that I did push to do everything I can to be fit for United, and that's been my whole season, really. In my opinion, I was pushing to try and get back for the games and the final, and I think I pushed too hard.

"I would love to make the first game, but I don't want to rush too quickly because realistically I've only got one chance. If I feel something, then that's it. I don't want that to happen."

Image credit: Getty
Image credit: Getty

It is still unclear if Jude Bellingham will be available for the game against Switzerland, with the midfielder under investigation by UEFA for the gesture he made in England's 2-1 win over Slovakia in the previous round.

Thoughts on the potential formation change? Let us know.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Gareth Southgate, England, Euro 2024, Luke Shaw

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

An interview with Ben Stokes: 'English cricket doesn't lack talent... there are quite a few names'Getty ImagesMichael Bisping suggests radical eye poke rule change ahead of Tom Aspinall comebackGetty ImagesAndrea Pirlo interview: 'Football has changed and unfortunately we've been left behind' Getty ImagesThierry Henry picks player who will surprise everyone at World Cup – ‘There’s a guy people don’t know about...’Getty

Advert

  • Gareth Southgate Reveals Two Players Rejected England Call-Up
  • Gareth Southgate 'accepts new job' in first role since leaving England
  • Gareth Southgate has applied for surprise managerial job with two conditions set for ex-England boss to take role
  • Gareth Southgate rejected for national team job as FA chief explains why they turned down former England manager

Choose your content:

13 mins ago
an hour ago
  • Getty
    13 mins ago

    FIFA confirm major World Cup change which will impact every team

    The change applies to every game at the first ever 48-team World Cup in North America.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Andoni Iraola planning Bournemouth transfer raid as first three Liverpool targets decided

    Iraola was officially announced as the new Liverpool head coach on Thursday evening.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Man Utd set to hijack Arsenal and Bayern move for 'one of best' in Europe as transfer shortlist emerges

    Michael Carrick has set his sights on a highly rated Bundesliga star.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    World Cup games played in Mexico will be slower than the United States and Canada as warning issued

    World Cup games in Mexico will be very different to other matches in the United States and Canada.

    Football