Gareth Southgate may have to make changes to his England side for their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
Marc Guehi is suspended, while there are concerns over the fitness of Kieran Trippier following his early withdrawal due to injury in the win over Slovakia on Sunday night.
Elsewhere, there may be some non-enforced changes to be made. The Three Lions failed to click in attack once again, and Southgate may opt to change his four-man front line for the first time in Germany.
Be that Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, or even Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham, a number of squad players are knocking on the door for their opportunity to impress at the tournament.
On the back of the Slovakia result and ahead of Switzerland, Mail Sport's football experts have picked their sides for the quarter-final tie.
OLIVER HOLT - Stop papering over the cracks
(4-2-3-1) Pickford - Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Stones, Saka - Rice, Bellingham - Palmer, Foden, Gordon - Kane
I'm tired of hoping something is going to click magically with England and that they can win the tournament without making important changes.
It's time to stop papering over the cracks. Recall Alexander-Arnold and play him in his best position. Saka doesn't want to play left back and I don't blame him but the team looks so unbalanced with a right-footed left back and he would help to fix that.
Play Bellingham alongside Rice. Let him rampage from there. Pick Gordon to stretch the opposition defence and give Foden space to work his magic in his best position.
Number of changes: Four
IAN LADYMAN - Play the back three
(3-4-2-1) Pickford; Walker, Stones, Shaw; Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Palmer; Kane
So here is a team that absolutely won't happen but I am putting it out there as an alternative.
Southgate abandoned his three-man defence some time ago but the fact is that it did used to work for him. Here it would help him cover for the absence of Marc Guehi, who is suspended, and would allow him to get Trent Alexander-Arnold back into the team as a right wing back.
Further up the field it would be fascinating to see if Bellingham and Palmer could dove tail to find a way to do the one thing England haven't managed this tournament – create chances!
Number of changes: Three
CRAIG HOPE - Time to drop Foden
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Konsa, Trippier; Rice, Mainoo; Palmer, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
I have said it since the opening game, Southgate has to play Palmer AND Gordon.
The front four feels stale and does not work as a collective. Gordon brings pace and widens the pitch, while Palmer is so evidently a better option than Saka on form and fitness.
Foden and Bellingham are the 2024 version of Lampard and Gerrard, albeit 30 yards further forward. Foden should make way now, because there is more chance of Bellingham producing a moment of inspiration.
Elsewhere, get Alexander-Arnold in at right back to offer a creativity from defence that has been absent. Walker looks tired anyway.
They should go out and take the game to Switzerland - and TAA, Gordon and Palmer (in their correct positions) would help achieve that.
Number of changes: Five
MIKE KEEGAN - Move Foden into the middle
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Walker, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Palmer, Foden, Saka; Kane
As the song goes, you can't light a fire without a spark and England's boss can provide that by playing Phil Foden in the middle.
Bring Jude Bellingham back alongside Declan Rice, start Cole Palmer and get on the front foot. It will mean serious heavy lifting for Rice but he is more than capable of it. If he tires, Kobbie Mainoo can come on and finish the job.
Marc Guehi is a huge loss but switching Kyle Walker to centre-half, where he is more than competent, brings Trent Alexander-Arnold and his much-needed creativity into the side.
The concern would be a defensive vulnerability on the right, but the positives outweigh the negatives. Luke Shaw has to start.
Number of changes: Three
BRYAN ROBSON - Focus on wingers
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Konsa, Stones, Shaw; Mainoo, Rice; Palmer, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Switzerland's full-backs were outstanding against Italy so it's important we select our most dangerous wide players to keep them occupied.
Anthony Gordon is more direct with great pace so I would go with him to keep them stretched then we can always use Phil Foden from the bench. I'd bring in Ezri Konsa for Marc Guehi because of his mobility and Luke Shaw at left back.
I like Kieran Trippier as a player, he has a great attitude also, but he hasn't had a good tournament. At least he could come on if Shaw struggles with fitness to last the match.
Number of changes: Four
SAMI MOKBEL - Stick with what you know
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Konsa, Walker; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Southgate spoke very pointedly about maintaining continuity after Sunday's great escape against Slovakia. There's a lot to be said for that. Tearing up the masterplan now would make little sense in my opinion despite the clear deficiencies.
So switching to three-at-the-back now, when you've spent the last six weeks preparing a back-four, seems a leap. But I would, however, find a way to bring Alexander-Arnold back into the team at right-back.
His delivery from wide and passing execution is wasted on the bench. Walker is experienced enough to deal with playing at left-back.
Number of changes: Two
CHRIS SUTTON - Change on the right
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa, Trippier; Mainoo, Rice; Palmer, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
We know Southgate needs to make at least one change to replace the suspended Guehi, and his bringing on of Ezri Konsa towards the end of the Slovakia comeback over Lewis Dunk and Joe Gomez was telling.
But there is one other tweak that I want to see made to the England team. That is bringing in Cole Palmer for Bukayo Saka on the right wing. Saka is not the only one who's had a limited impact at Euro 2024.
Phil Foden needs to step up on the other side, too. But Palmer is a ready-made replacement on the right and he deserves his chance for his cameo appearances.
Number of changes: Two
GRAEME SOUNESS - Who knows?!
I've no idea what Gareth Southgate will do. With the decisions he has made and the selections so far, I would not want to second-guess his choices. I would find it impossible.
Going on what we have witnessed, Switzerland will win. If this is England's level then you'd have to think their issues are psychological because they are not showing the form we know they can produce.
Allianceofficial
0
I might be an underachiever but I've surely achieved more than the whole of your useless generations can ever achieve.. chronic poverty and lack of proper home training has turn you to a shameless animal that insults people on any social media platform.. because you and your wretched generation are so poor and malnourished, you now blame God and random people for your laziness and lack of sense... get out😏
why the insults? I didn't say anything bad, did I?
Mukhtari
0
Saka has an assist, and even though he hasn't been at his best due to fatigue and constantly double marked on the wing, which makes him move in-pitch, he still does what he can. personally, I want him rested for Palmer because I liked the energy he brought in when he came off bench. But that's the spark they need from the bench, someone who comes in and energizes the whole team, which let's be honest is lacking in that squad. One thing about players looking for starts, they aim to impress. That's why they're needed from the bench to pivot the team. Watkins especially. The problem is the coaching not the players. His tactics keep on failing.
I might be an underachiever but I've surely achieved more than the whole of your useless generations can ever achieve.. chronic poverty and lack of proper home training has turn you to a shameless animal that insults people on any social media platform.. because you and your wretched generation are so poor and malnourished, you now blame God and random people for your laziness and lack of sense... get out😏
Singapore1183229
0
Gomez has always been overlooked player.
raeaostyz
0
who else noticed that all chelsea supporting pundits wants palmer to start ahead of Saka?.. bunch of useless drunkards, they clearly don't want to mention Foden because he is white and since Saka is black, he is automatically the usual target.. mumu people
Dude grow a brain, isn't Saka selected for England? How can this be racist. You are one of life's underachievers so you scramble around looking for excuses to explain your pathetic existence, in your infinite wisdom, you decide it's racism. It's people like you that perpetuate racism. Grow up, take responsibility rather than the easy way out. Tool.
vuaabdipu
0
Axeing is normal in this high level of the game
vuaabdipu
2
My lineup
vuaabdipu
0
Ramsdale TAA Stones Gomes Shaw Mainoo Rice Bellingham Saka Foden Palmer
Topcderu
0
Nonsense analyses, let the manager do his work
Wich manager you are talking about where he forget the best English player trennnn66 ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️what the fuck
jaydklnopu
0
Gomez can play as DM with Rice. He is more experienced than other. England will have a stronger DM against strong Swiss Midfielders to cover the DF.
yonailmpr
0
problem is not understanding that if a player is suspended doesn't play. Go back and bring another team
The coach is a fool
Zuwabesz
0
Best
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problem is not understanding that if a player is suspended doesn't play. Go back and bring another team
simzer17
0
you can't have foden at left wing without a left footed left back who'll overlap next to foden, we've seen how effortless this was with gvardiol...Southgate seems to be missing the idea behind pep's selection
petbcdmtyz
1
Nonsense analyses, let the manager do his work
petbcdmtyz
0
Who is the manager for England? The media pundits or Gareth Southgate
vjIndia
2
Taa not even playing as a sub shows how clueless is southgate
Badhur
5
And suddenly Arnold is wanted by everyone … bunch of losers … Taa must walk away from the English team and concentrate on Liverpool fc only … English team do pathetic
GodCool
4
And suddenly everyone wants Trent in the team again, wow..... I swear it was Trent's name that was mentioned when the pundits were looking for scapegoat last week.
Zoydiprz
0
Allianceofficial
0
Don’t talk of race, what has Saka done this tournament huh? Delusional Arsenal fans that’s why you don’t win anything because you don’t use your 🧠 to think only thinking of over rating your useless players
Saka has an assist, and even though he hasn't been at his best due to fatigue and constantly double marked on the wing, which makes him move in-pitch, he still does what he can. personally, I want him rested for Palmer because I liked the energy he brought in when he came off bench. But that's the spark they need from the bench, someone who comes in and energizes the whole team, which let's be honest is lacking in that squad. One thing about players looking for starts, they aim to impress. That's why they're needed from the bench to pivot the team. Watkins especially. The problem is the coaching not the players. His tactics keep on failing.
Zoydiprz
0
This line up will be best and balanced, composed midfield, with stretched wing play .
yonailmpr
1
Best
The_Phoenix
0
who else noticed that all chelsea supporting pundits wants palmer to start ahead of Saka?.. bunch of useless drunkards, they clearly don't want to mention Foden because he is white and since Saka is black, he is automatically the usual target.. mumu people
Don’t talk of race, what has Saka done this tournament huh? Delusional Arsenal fans that’s why you don’t win anything because you don’t use your 🧠 to think only thinking of over rating your useless players
Mukhtari
4
who else noticed that all chelsea supporting pundits wants palmer to start ahead of Saka?.. bunch of useless drunkards, they clearly don't want to mention Foden because he is white and since Saka is black, he is automatically the usual target.. mumu people