Sam Blitz: Shaw can repair England’s stability
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
England’s three-at-the-back experiment was tactically fascinating however for 80 minutes, the identical points remained. Again to an improved Plan A.
Within the chaos of the Switzerland quarter-final, one underrated bonus was Luke Shaw getting 45 minutes. It is time to begin him from the off with the expectation he can play no less than an hour in opposition to the Netherlands.
That may repair a significant situation with England’s lopsided staff. Phil Foden may be pushed into his more practical central function with Shaw being a pure excessive and large choice on the skin.
Ezri Konsa is unfortunate to take a seat out given his calm, stable show in opposition to the Swiss, however keep in mind how good Marc Guehi was earlier than his suspension. And the remainder of the staff picks itself. England arguably have their strongest staff out there for the primary time this match.
Ben Grounds: Konsa’s physicality may very well be essential
(4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa, Shaw; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Foden, Saka, Kane.
Let’s be brutally sincere. England have solely performed their finest stuff when it has been chaotic. It would not actually matter on paper how they line up as a result of as soon as the sport begins, the plan has gone out the window.
One of the best soccer they’ve performed and essentially the most menacing they’ve appeared is after they have thrown panic-ball on the state of affairs. And I do not thoughts that, as a result of the construction is not actually working.
For what it is value, I might assault them with Luke Shaw and Phil Foden lastly beginning down the left. This choice can morph into three on the again with Shaw and Bukayo Saka as wing-backs relying on recreation state.
Ezri Konsa‘s efficiency in opposition to Switzerland means he can’t be dropped regardless of Marc Guehi‘s return from suspension. His physicality and aerial dominance at set items may show important in opposition to the Dutch.
Zinny Boswell: Kane a shadow of his finest
(3-4-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi; Saka, Rice, Mainoo, Shaw; Bellingham, Watkins, Foden.
Harry Kane has appeared a shadow of his finest self at this match, maybe as a consequence of damage or simply the rigours of the season. Both manner, England’s talisman wants a jolt to wake him up – and a uncommon begin on the bench may present that.
Ollie Watkins hasn’t had a lot of a look-in thus far at Euro 2024, nevertheless it is smart to get somebody in that may stretch the Dutch backline and create extra room for Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, who’ve been cramped by Kane dropping deep thus far.
Ivan Toney should be saved again as a more in-depth and a penalty taker. He has carved out that function for himself during the last two video games.
Three on the again introduced some stability and bought Foden within the areas the place he can thrive. Hopefully the expertise on Saturday can assist England push on once more on Wednesday. It additionally affords the prospect to vary the strategy in-game.
Luke Shaw is available in for Kieran Trippier, who struggled offensively on the left. We’d like crosses in for Watkins and he can present that on his pure aspect.
Ezri Konsa drops out for Marc Guehi as a consequence of no fault of his personal. The Crystal Palace defender has been a stand-out performer for England at this match and deserves to return to the beginning line-up after serving his suspension.
Peter Smith: Palmer can deliver spark England have lacked
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Palmer; Kane.
So poor have England been of their basic play at this Euros, the merest trace of enchancment within the first half in opposition to Switzerland was seized upon as progress. However sticking with the back-three formation in opposition to the Netherlands – who play 4-2-3-1 – can be an error. Simply have a look at how England misplaced momentum, dropped deep and allowed Switzerland to come back onto them and rating the opener within the second half. An analogous strategy can’t be taken in opposition to extra harmful Dutch aspect.
As a substitute, a return to a again 4 – however with vital adjustments within the full-back positions. Trent Alexander-Arnold is in on the precise aspect to offer Liverpool clubmate Cody Gakpo one thing to consider going the opposite manner, whereas Luke Shaw has proven he’s match to play and might deliver some desperately wanted risk on the left aspect. Forward of him Cole Palmer brings the spark Phil Foden has failed to supply.
Dan Lengthy: Three on the again stays
(3-4-2-1): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Walker; Shaw, Rice, Mainoo, Saka; Bellingham, Foden; Kane.
England’s change in form for the quarter-final in opposition to Switzerland did not, for essentially the most half, fairly herald the swashbuckling enchancment many have been hoping for – however issues can solely get higher, cannot they?
Luke Shaw‘s second-half introduction, following his well timed return to health, introduced stability to the staff and I might begin him there, even when he cannot go the complete distance in Dortmund. Ezri Konsa was actually spectacular final day out and retains his place on the again, sadly for Marc Guehi.
I can not be the one one who actually needs to see extra attacking risk from Phil Foden, who has solely created six probabilities all through the match so far.
And as for Harry Kane, he appeared drained and torpid on Saturday – however I simply can’t see Gareth Southgate leaving his talisman on the bench. In a super world, Ivan Toney can be in from the beginning, however I might be content material to see him utilised earlier, not just for his super-human penalty prowess, however for his aerial risk at each ends of the pitch.
David Richardson: Do not change a successful staff!
(3-4-2-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier; Foden, Bellingham; Kane.
England essentially improved in opposition to Switzerland from a desperately low place so Gareth Southgate should hold the religion with the identical staff.
Ezri Konsa deserves to start out after a faultless efficiency which is hard on Marc Guehi, however continuity within the again three is required.
Southgate should be courageous along with his substitutions to take the sport to the Netherlands, ensuring Luke Shaw performs a pivotal function within the second half, and should not be afraid to take off his large hitters like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
England’s entrance three faltered within the quarter-final – Ivan Toney and Cole Palmer ought to anticipate to make a major impression when referred to as upon.
Oliver Yew: Watkins’ tempo can stretch the sport for England
(3-4-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Konsa; Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Shaw; Bellingham, Foden, Watkins.
Regardless of some enhancements in opposition to Switzerland, lots of the identical points remained for England, nonetheless, they confirmed loads of resilience and character, and now they’ve one other likelihood to boost their degree once more in opposition to the Netherlands within the final 4.
The massive query: what’s up with Harry Kane? To me, he would not look totally match. He is normally at all times in the precise place on the proper time in and across the penalty space, however throughout this match he has appeared extremely off the tempo. His efficiency in opposition to Switzerland was paying homage to the one Cristiano Ronaldo gave for Portugal in opposition to France. England, identical to Portugal did, want extra from their centre ahead.
Beginning the skipper and England’s talisman for thus lengthy on the bench will not be a simple resolution and one Gareth Southgate will not take, however Ollie Watkins‘ tempo and vitality would actually increase England, particularly up in opposition to Virgil van Dijk and Stefan de Vrij. It will additionally stretch the sport extra and permit the likes of Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka more room to do their finest work. Ivan Toney is unfortunate to be ignored as a starter however his expertise from the penalty spot should be saved again in case of a shootout.
The one different change can be Luke Shaw for Kieran Trippier. England nonetheless want stability on the left and Shaw’s minutes in opposition to Switzerland have been an actual constructive for England. Now’s the time for him to start out and it may very well be excellent timing for England. Ezri Konsa impressed in opposition to Switzerland and retains his place forward of the unlucky Marc Guehi, regardless of his return from suspension.
Charlotte Marsh: Trent can dimension to England’s assault
(4-3-3): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Palmer, Kane, Saka.
Though Gareth Southgate is prone to follow a again three, like a few of my colleagues, I am switching again to a 4.
Trent Alexander-Arnold should be taking part in on the precise and might add to England’s assault. Kyle Walker has appeared unconvincing at occasions, the identical too for Kieran Trippier. If he’s match sufficient, Luke Shaw ought to line up on the left.
Marc Guehi will go straight again into the squad alongside John Stones, though it’s considerably unfair on a formidable Ezri Konsa.
It is a travesty that Cole Palmer hasn’t began but, given a lot of England’s ahead play has lacked creativity and directness – the identical too with Anthony Gordon. I might prefer to see both line up instead of Phil Foden.
Whereas Harry Kane is at all times anticipated to start out, bringing on Ivan Toney or Ollie Watkins both in his place or alongside will solely assist England. The captain continues to wrestle after a protracted season.
Joe Shread: Time has come to unleash Toney
(4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Shaw; Mainoo, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Toney, Foden.
Harry Kane has been a shadow of himself at Euro 2024. Often so concerned within the build-up, Kane has managed simply 17 passes in his final 240 minutes. Often so hungry for objectives, he’s conspicuous by his absence when crosses fly into the opposition penalty space.
The time has come to offer Ivan Toney his first begin in Germany. The striker has proven glimpses of his expertise, whereas he seems to be in a lot better form than Kane after resting for the primary half of the season.
Elsewhere, Luke Shaw – who proved his health in opposition to Switzerland – ought to begin in opposition to Netherlands. The left-back can present the width Kieran Trippier is incapable of doing, due to this fact permitting Phil Foden to float inside.
In flip, Jude Bellingham ought to transfer into midfield, eradicating the difficulty of he and Foden occupying one another’s area. It appears to have been forgotten that Bellingham spent most of his profession – together with the 2022 World Cup – taking part in as a No 8. The swap would permit him to hold the ball from deep – a specific energy of his – and assist to plug the worrying holes in England’s midfield.
