Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Jude Bellingham, Switzerland, UEFA, Phil Foden
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: England, Euro 2024, Gareth Southgate, Jude Bellingham, Switzerland, UEFA, Phil Foden
England manager Gareth Southgate is considering a radical change to his starting XI if Jude Bellingham is cleared to face Switzerland.
England take on the Swiss in their Euro 2024 quarter-final at Dusseldorf on Saturday and there are a number of issues that need resolving ahead of the match.
It is still unclear if Bellingham will be available, with the midfielder under investigation by UEFA for the crude gesture he made in England's 2-1 win over Slovakia in the previous round.
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One player certain to miss out is defender Marc Guehi, who is suspended for the Switzerland game after picking up his second booking of the tournament against Slovakia.
Sky Sports News claim Southgate is considering switching to a back three to cope with the loss of Guehi, who has arguably been England's best player at the Euros.
The Three Lions haven't used that formation in a competitive match since their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy at Wembley.
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But Southgate has been testing it out again in training ahead of facing Switzerland, along with a number of other tactical alterations.
It is claimed that Southgate has tried 'various formations and various players slotted into the different roles'.
The report also claims that Southgate could attempt to play Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden as two No 10s, should the former be cleared to play in the match.
Bellingham has started in that role in all of England's games so far at the tournament, with Foden playing off the left.
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But Southgate could be ready to change tactics following the loss of Guehi.
"Southgate has accepted that what he has tried so far in Germany has seen his players perform at way below their best," read the report.
Southgate will be desperate for Bellingham to be available for the game.
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While the Real Madrid star has been below his best in Germany, he has managed to score twice – including a last-gasp equaliser in Sunday's dramatic win over Slovakia.
Bild (via the Daily Mail) claim Bellingham is set to avoid a suspension and is likely to be handed a five-figure fine instead.