Roma boss Jose Mourinho is ‘so confident’ that England will defeat Ukraine in their Euro 2020 quarter-final that he has suggested Gareth Southgate should rest two to three players.
The Three Lions came through their biggest test yet in the Round of 16, finally defeating Germany to advance to the quarter-finals, and from there, the draw is very much on their side.
Southgate’s men face Ukraine on Saturday in the quarter-final, and if they progress through that, a tie with either of Czech Republic or Denmark at home in Wembley will be the only thing standing in their way of a European Championship final, and that too would be at home.
The Three Lions are yet to concede a goal in this competition, and while goals haven’t been particularly forthcoming, there is a confidence they will have more than enough to progress past Ukraine in Rome.
MORE: Jose Mourinho slams Paul Pogba over France celebration
And that sentiment is echoed by Mourinho, who believes Southgate should even rest up to three players with a tougher quarter-final in mind.
“I’m so confident England will beat Ukraine that if I were in charge I would rest both Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips to save them for the semi-final,” Mourinho told The Sun.
“And Gareth Southgate shouldn’t stop there because he should also consider giving Harry Maguire a break so he can be key to the defence for the final week of the tournament.
“All three are on yellow cards, and in the case of Maguire he is also lacking the same kind of preparation fitness-wise because of his injury.
“He could easily be replaced by Tyrone Mings, who was so impressive in the first two games.
“For Maguire, a rest will be perfect because it not only means he avoids a yellow card that would stop him playing the semi-final, but also means England do not accumulate fatigue in a player that didn’t prepare as well as the others have.
“I would make three or four changes for this game even though it is a quarter-final, including the important defender and the two engines in midfield.
“Obviously I’m looking from the outside and don’t have to work under the pressure of Gareth but I would say you don’t need Rice and Phillips to beat Ukraine.
“At the most, one of them is needed but you have Jordan Henderson who is in the right condition to play and other younger players, fresh with the right conditions, desire and motivation to play
“Rice and Phillips have been magnificent so far but look at the way they worked in the last match, and how Declan finished the game completely exhausted and with cramp in his legs.
“Saturday’s semi-final will be much more difficult than the quarter-final.”
Freshhh
0
Mourinho can Stfu abt Shaw now
Kazamnpu
0
mourinho plse
Jessegilbert
1
He offered a humble advise not instruction, understand the difference between advice and instruction beside most of these players need rest
Jessegilbert
0
mourinho only gave an advice to d English manager not an instruction,beside he is not a bad coach
coming from a good fan
yonbiknpru
0
why is it that na man u fans comment pass about Mourinho is it because of luke shaw i am just saying
Kukaeikpsz
1
Who is Mourinho to tell the England manager who to play n who not to play? Why is Mourinho such a busybody? Stick to your rebuilding at Roma.. Mourinho will probably tell that Shaw should not start as well..
hohcekprz
0
the manager that got sack from his last 4 jobs telling someone how to coach. nice
Hafizvibes
1
Mourinho should mind how he can develop his new thing and stop advising people
kapabctu
1
mind your own business Mou
flenzadarius24
2
bt he's right though.. he should rest his squad and prepare for a better semis
flenzadarius24
0
only man u fans are commenting LMAO[Crylaugh]
Bs_Ngaihte
0
Mourinho should know when to shut his mouth
pogbaking
0
i see only Manchester united fans comments
Meybekmptu
2
wen did Mourinho start loving England as national team.
poyaeimo
0
Mourinho with his big mouth can never zip his mouth because of the size. How can you tell a coach to rest his key players for a match of this magnitude???. What a shame. I think his obsession with the England team is affecting his sense of reasoning. An archaic coach
Obuke
0
Jose should just shut up his mouth because he's a distraction
ForceSynysNon12
0
Don't Underestimate any team in Euro. Play the strong XI.
hilton1985
0
mou want to coach England now or what?
neubekotyz
0
mourinho only gave an advice to d English manager not an instruction,beside he is not a bad coach
true
TomotronMUFC
0
absolutely no chance mourinho, but if anyone should be rotated to start it should be grealish!
Bipbklmnpz
1
That's why he gets sacked everywhere he goes
MRV7
3
This should do the job!
zaeablmnp
0
this guy is giving stupid advices, as if it's a epl week on week in games...stupid coach
wohabdemrz
1
thats good
Profnick
2
Everything aside, Jose is right there
Fawaiklmy
0
let's see what he will do at roma
fasinostz
0
no help at all ....you could not coach england team now national team
hiokmopry
2
Jose... Settle Yrself 1st pls... Before u tell anyone to do something..
pekadnptu
0
You mean Grealish changed the game because in the first half shaa was like a car without tyres
the starting line-up itself showed that the game strategy was to end the 1st half defensively strong without conceding a goal and ramping up attack in the last 30 mins. England did exactly what they wanted. Grealish playing 1st half wouldn't have changed any of that.
Afin7
2
What's wrong with Mourinho and this England team every time or is he planing of taking the job very soon🤔
samgriezmann
3
dont underestimate power of ukraine
Hicaimoprt
5
mourinho only gave an advice to d English manager not an instruction,beside he is not a bad coach
Cidbcelnz
1
if you are such a perfect tactician, why then are you so determined to take spurs to relegation ?
ManUtdAmadDialo
2
If it was him England would be long gone by now, n Sancho would be having medical at Old Traford. Then Shaw would be having heartache after experiencing Jose's horrible atmosphere
Switzerland6276346
1
If Mourinho wants to coach national squads, he must do so. Mourinho must not tell national coaches who they should play and who they must not
He made what I called “ a very good observation” and his points should be noted. Please re-read his statement again, digest it for a moment and give it a good thought. If I were the England coach, I’ll consider his points of view as an advise. Cheers!
PrinceAbobyBlinkz
0
that's why you always get sacked... taking wrong decision every time
coddeprsu
4
This is the best formation for Ukraine
ajasaemma2004
0
You mean Grealish changed the game because in the first half shaa was like a car without tyres
Shaw*
ajasaemma2004
1
If Southgate had taken Mourinho advice about Luke Shaw, only God knows what would have been England fate against Germany. Shaw had an assist for the first goal and was the second builder to the second goal but Mourinho slated Shaw bfor the match. SOUTHGATE should just do what is right
You mean Grealish changed the game because in the first half shaa was like a car without tyres
picmnr
1
Who is Mourinho
Miablnopt
2
Well Said the Special One.
bizabcdpuz
0
because of him Portugal failed and France let Southgate take his time and place the right guys at the right place and forget this trouble some
Pahbcdrsuy
1
Do one Mourinho.🖕
Famcimnru
1
he is planning to get england out of the tournament. I am smelling a rat here. he is no good.
RaiyanHasib
0
If Mourinho wants to coach national squads, he must do so. Mourinho must not tell national coaches who they should play and who they must not
he is doing a job as a pundit now, so he can say
Famcimnru
0
First in a long time,I hear him say Something that make some Sense,I love that advice
he is fooling us and southgate. he wants england out
pibekptuz
0
If Mourinho wants to coach national squads, he must do so. Mourinho must not tell national coaches who they should play and who they must not
Knahsas
4
When was Mourinho’d last strategy been successful?
Vuhbdimnou
2
this line up is best
sisadekmsu
1
is Mourinho England's second coach?