Southgate Has Big Decisions to Make with His Starting XI

Switzerland are next up for England and Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make for that game and the rest of the tournament if his side are to make it through. There will be at least one change to his starting XI due to a suspension.

Formation Change

Some reports suggest Southgate may make a formation change for the Switzerland game, with three central defenders and two wing-backs. His side are the 7/2 tournament favourites for those placing a 

 and if it proves successful, the England boss may stick with the formation for the rest of the competition.

Southgate’s side are the 4/7 favourites in the 

 to qualify past Switzerland so there is a strong confidence behind them despite a forced change to their defence. Lewis Dunk and Ezri Zonsa have both had excellent seasons for Brighton and Aston Villa respectively, and one of those players will likely pair with John Stones and Kyle Walker in the defensive line.

If Walker does go into a central role, it opens the door for Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold to return to the team in the right wing-back position. 

More Attacking

Southgate has been criticised by some England fans and pundits for not being attacking enough with his team at Euro 2026. The likes of Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and others have had very little playing time so far.

With a maximum of three games left in the tournament, Southgate has been encouraged to let the hand break off. If his side had lost to Slovakia in the last 16, it would have most likely ended his reign as England manager in disappointing fashion. He has now been given an extra life and it may result in a change in approach.

England has one of the strongest squads left at Euro 2024, with many of their attacking players representing the biggest clubs in Europe. If they can click and start producing the same performances as they do in domestic football, the Three Lions have the potential to have a lot of success over the next few years.

Luke Shaw Fitness Concern

One of the most controversial calls Southgate made with his 

 was to include defender Luke Shaw, despite the Manchester United star not being fit. The left-back has yet to play a minute at Euro 2024, and that is unlikely to change against Switzerland.

Shaw has been in a race to get fit in time to feature in the knockout stages of the tournament, and should England make the last four or final, he could still do that. However, it would be a big risk to throw the 28-year-old into the starting XI for one of those games with no football under his belt since picking up 

 back in February.

Southgate has now managed England for 100 matches, and he has a lot of experience in knockout matches at major tournaments. How he fares at the rest of Euro 2024 could determine his legacy in charge of the national team.