Gareth Southgate has major change in plans for England for their quarterfinal match against Switzerland in Euro 2024

It seems like England has a change in strategy for their upcoming game against Switzerland. In the quarterfinal match, England are likely to go with a different combination than they have used in the tournament so far. England was seen practising with the back three combinations in the practice session. The move comes following the use of the same combination from Switzerland which helped them beat Italy in the Round of 16 match.

Italy had no answer to the combination which proved to be highly effective. To counter the strategy, Gareth instructed his boys to play according to the back three. England struggled against back three strategies in their matches against Denmark and Serbia. England could also make a change in their playing XI. Kyle Walker could be brought into the Central defence which could lead to Trent Alexander-Arnold or Kieran Trippier playing at right wing-back.

Luke Shaw or Bukayo Saka could be moved to left wing-back in such a scenario. As Marc Guehi is suspended from the upcoming match, Erik Konsa can be the first-choice player to replace the defender. If England are to deploy the back three strategy, John Stones could be in the centre and Kyle Walker on the right. It will change the entire dynamics of England compared to their previous matches.

Is Jude Bellingham doubtful against Switzerland?

A back-three strategy would mean Southgate could go with two strikers. However, Gareth has gone with two attacking options behind Harry Kane in the tournament so far. Fans are expecting Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham as the two number 10s. But there is a doubt regarding the participation of Jude in the quarterfinal match against Switzerland in the Euro 2024.

The Real Madrid star gave an X-rated sendoff in the match against Slovakia. If that could potentially rule him out of the match against Switzerland, there could be a case of Southgate going with a 4-3-1-2 combination. That would mean Kane and Toney to go upfront with Foden to be deployed as the number 10. England is not new to the back-three combination. They displayed it in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and a few matches in the Euro 2020.