IT IS A GIGANTIC RISK FOR GARETH SOUTHGATE TO DROP THREE-AT-THE-BACK ON HIS ENGLAND PLAYERS FOR EURO 2024 QUARTER-FINAL AGAINST SWITZERLAND, WRITES CHRIS SUTTON
- England are set to face off against Switzerland in their Euro 2024 quarter-final
- Gareth Southgate is considering a switch to three-at-the-back for the clash
- LISTEN: Join us as we debate the BIGGEST talking points on It’s All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY. Available wherever you get your podcasts
I'm not sure now is the right time for Gareth Southgate to gamble by switching to a three-man defence out of fear of the Swiss.
Ezri Konsa plays for Aston Villa, who don’t use a back three. Lewis Dunk for Brighton, who don’t. Joe Gomez for Liverpool, who don’t. Kyle Walker and John Stones for Manchester City, who don’t, albeit you could argue that Pep Guardiola sending a man into midfield sees them flirt with that formation.
And that is before you get to the options for wing backs, from Bukayo Saka to Kieran Trippier to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
There is no doubt that Switzerland have looked like a better-functioning team than England at Euro 2024. They beat Italy. They almost defeated Germany.
Southgate may be confident that if we switch our system to counteract the Swiss, we can beat them man-for-man.
While it’s fine to be flexible, I would still rather see us impose our style on Switzerland.
Southgate has taken chances at these Euros which haven’t exactly gone to plan, first by taking the injured Luke Shaw, then by using Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
After 99 games in charge, Southgate may need to nail tomorrow’s set-up to avoid making it 100 and out. For me, sticking with a back four is the best way.
Read more 2024-07-04T21:50:43Z dg43tfdfdgfd