Gareth Southgate is reportedly set to name Bukayo Saka as a wing-back in a radical formation change at Euro 2024 this evening (Saturday). England are widely expected to switch to a 3-4-2-1 system for their crunch quarter-final tie with Switzerland.
Southgate’s team have struggled to click in their 4-3-3 system at the tournament this summer. There is hope that the new change will get the best out of phil Foden and Jude Bellingham as joint-No 10s behind striker Harry Kane.
England switched to a back three for extra-time of the 2-1 win over Slovakia in the last-16. Saka and Eberechi Eze were used as wing-backs and the extra centre-back provided the Three Lions a more solid base than their previous formation.
According to Sky Sports News, Saka is expected to start the quarter-final as a left-wing-back. The Arsenal star has played the majority of the tournament on the right wing, cutting inside onto his stronger left football.
Moving the 22-year-old to the other side will provide England the width that they have missed in Germany. Luke Shaw’s continued fitness issues have meant Southgate has started the right-footed Kieran Trippier at left-back.
It is reported that Kyle Walker will move inside from right-back to a right-sided centre-back position. Ezri Kona is expected to come into the team as the third centre-back in the absence of the suspended Marc Guehi, whose booking against Slovakia was his second of the tournament.
John Stones will start in the centre of the back three, with Trippier moving to a more natural right-wing-back role.
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