.png)
4 months ago
21
England are just two games away from Euros glory after edging past Switzerland on penalties on Saturday night.
Approaching the sixth game of the tournament, you would expect Gareth Southgate to know his best team by now, but he is still yet to find the magic formula in Germany.
After four underwhelming performances while using a 4-2-3-1 formation, Southgate switched to a back three on the weekend and there were some improvements.
The question now is whether he should stick with that for Wednesday's semi-final against the Netherlands or revert to a back four? And after Harry Kane had another disappointing outing against Switzerland, is there a case for Southgate to drop his captain?
Six Mail Sport experts have revealed how they would like to see England line up when they face the Dutch in Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate has led his England side into the Euro 2024 semi-finals, but they are still yet to click into top gear
England will need to improve against the Dutch, and that could mean Southgate has to make changes to his starting XI
CHRIS SUTTON'S STARTING XI
Marc Guehi in for Ezri Konsa, not that he did anything wrong against Switzerland, and Luke Shaw to replace Kieran Trippier after finally returning from injury.
Otherwise, keep it as is, Gareth Southgate’s choice of system included, and hopefully we have enough to see off the Dutch.
Chris Sutton would make just two changes, bringing in Luke Shaw and Marc Guehi for Kieran Trippier and Ezri Konsa
OLIVER HOLT'S STARTING XI
Dropping Kane would be a radical move that I’m sure Southgate won’t make but the England captain looks a long way from being fully fit.
It’s worth taking a gamble on Shaw to start at left wing-back. The side looked more balanced during the short time he was on the pitch against Switzerland.
Oliver Holt would also bring in Guehi and Shaw, and wants to see Southgate make the radical move of dropping Harry Kane for Ivan Toney
Harry Kane has scored twice in Germany but has been some way short of his best form
Ivan Toney is pushing for a start after two impressive substitute appearances
IAN LADYMAN'S STARTING XI
The change of formation brought some improvement against Switzerland and I would stick with it.
However, I’d replace Foden with Palmer. Foden has had five games to find his best form and hasn’t managed it.
Kane has been ineffectual but I would always start him. He’s the best centre forward in Europe.
Ian Ladyman feels Phil Foden has not taken his chance and should make way for Cole Palmer
CRAIG HOPE'S STARTING XI
It won’t happen, but I would drop Phil Foden for Anthony Gordon. Foden has had enough chances now.
The big call, meanwhile, is to replace Harry Kane with Ivan Toney. Kane isn’t right, everyone can see that, and it’s detrimental to the team to play him.
Toney is playing with belief, energy and aggression — get him in!
Craig Hope would also drop Foden to the bench, but would replace him with Anthony Gordon and move to a back four on Wednesday night. He would also drop Kane for Toney
Gordon has only made one brief substitute appearance this summer but is waiting in the wings for his next chance
MIKE KEEGAN'S STARTING XI
A team with balance and creativity. Trent Alexander-Arnold gets the nod ahead of Kyle Walker for his attacking threat.
The number of times Walker has ended up in space and in attacking positions is staggering.
Demotion for Foden, sadly, who will remain a threat off the bench. Cole Palmer deserves a start.
Mike Keegan would also switch to a back four, and would like to see Trent Alexander-Arnold play at right back ahead of Kyle Walker. He is also the third of our experts to bench Kane
Walker has started all five games but offered very little attacking threat down the right flank
SAMI MOKBEL'S STARTING XI
The change in formation seemed to get a tune out of more of Southgate’s players on Saturday.
There are merits to reverting to a back-four against the Netherlands, to match them up, and it will make England’s press easier to execute.
But there were enough positive signs at the weekend to persist with a back three.
Sami Mokbel would like to see Guehi and Shaw start in place of Konsa and Trippier, with Kane retaining his place up front
English (US)