England set for 'radical' change to starting XI for Euro 2024 quarter-final

Gareth Southgate is reportedly set to 'rip up the plan' ahead of England's Euro 2024 quarter final match.

Yep, when the Three Lions take on Switzerland on Saturday (6 July) in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals, we might finally see a change in their play.

After a couple of frustrating matches, fans have been criticising Gareth Southgate’s side this tournament, with Jude Bellingham sending them a message after scoring a last-minute worldie in the Round of 16.

And while there’s still worries Bellingham could be banned from the next match due to an x-rated gesture, the likely scenario is that the striker will be playing.

However, as Southgate ‘rips up the plan’, the formation could be looking slightly different.

Jude Bellingham's goal took us into extra time. (Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

It was rumoured the team would be switching to three centre backs for the weekend’s match with Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett now reporting this is ‘likely’.

“I think that’s what Gareth Southgate is absolutely planning to do,” he said. “To change his team pretty radically and rip up the plan that he’s had so far in Euro 2024.”

According to reports, England’s squad have in fact been practicing a back three in training – for the first time since getting to Germany.

So, with fingers crossed that Bellingham won’t be getting a match ban for Saturday, the possible starting XI will see Kyle Walker switching to central defence, potentially with Kieran Trippier at right-wing back and Bukayo Saka slotting into left-wing back.

Then, John Stones could take centre of this new back three with Eric Konsa on to replace the suspended Marc Guehi.

The team practiced the back three in training. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

This back three could open up the possibility for Southgate to start us with two strikers, but that’s unlikely given his previous preferences.

Instead, it’ll likely be Harry Kane with Bellingham and Phil Foden as two attackers behind him.

If, and we don’t even want to jinx it, the striker who was apparently having an ‘inside joke’ with his mates does end up banned, then maybe Southgate will go with a 4-3-1-2 formation with Toney joining Kane up front and Foden as a No10.

England did play with a back three during that final at Euro 2020, so maybe Saturday could actually be the return to fans not booing the players during the match.

Sure, there’s still more training sessions to go and Southgate could stick with his back four but as Dorsett said, it’s likely this back three might happen.

Come on lads, get it together and bring it home.