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Gary Neville reveals his England XI to face Switzerland as he drops TWO big-name forwards for Euro 2024 quarter-final - and disagrees with Gareth Southgate on key decision

4 months ago 23
  • Gareth Southgate is expected to make changes for tomorrow's showdown 
  • Gary Neville has revealed the XI he believes should start for the Three Lions 
  • LISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: How Gareth Southgate compares to Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann 

By Daniel Davis

Published: 14:45 BST, 5 July 2024 | Updated: 14:56 BST, 5 July 2024

Gary Neville has revealed the starting XI he believes should get the nod for England ahead of tomorrow's Euro 2024 quarter-final showdown against Switzerland.

Gareth Southgate is expected to make several changes to his side after they edged to a dramatic last-16 victory against Slovakia in extra time last weekend.

The manager's drastic new plan is likely to see him switch formations, instead adopting a three-at-the-back shape, and make at least two alterations to his line-up.


Kyle Walker, John Stones and Ezri Konsa are set to make up the new look backline, the latter recalled in place of the suspended Marc Guehi.

Trent Alexander-Arnold may then start at right wing back with Bukayo Saka on the opposite flank and Declan Rice and Kobbie Mainoo sitting in a double pivot.

Gareth Southgate is set to make changes for England's Euro 2024 quarter-final showdown

The Three Lions will face Switzerland with a spot in the final four of the tournament on the line

Neville, however, believes Southgate should also drop two big-name forwards.

Revealing his ideal XI for the match, the pundit is keen to see the Three Lions stick with their 4-2-3-1 system with Konsa starting alongside Stones.

At full back, he has named Alexander-Arnold, who started in midfield during the first two group games to mixed results, on the right and Kyle Walker on the left.

Neville also believes Mainoo and Rice should keep their places in midfield while captain Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford have also been selected in his side.

In a significant shake-up along the frontline, Neville would not start Phil Foden. Instead, England's golden boy Jude Bellingham would continue in the No 10 role.

But Gary Neville believes two big-name forwards should be dropped for the match

Neville would start Cole Palmer (right) over Bukayo Saka (left) on the right-hand side

On the wings, Neville has opted for Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, both of whom have seen their minutes restricted despite the team's struggles in Germany. 

Neville's dream XI

Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Konsa, Walker, Mainoo, Rice, Palmer, Bellingham, Gordon, Kane

That, of course, would see Saka also moved to the substitutes' bench. 

Ahead of the likely change in formation this weekend, Stones has insisted he does not believe the decision represents as big a risk as some may think.

'We've done it in previous tournaments before, though,' he said. 'Germany, I remember, at the last Euros. Previously to that in 2018 (at the World Cup).

'I think it's a great thing to have in the locker, if we need to play that system. 

'It's something that shouldn't be underestimated for us as a team, that we can do it so easily and seamlessly, and kind of click together.

'We've got one more (training session) before the game, and hopefully we can fine-tune a few things that we have worked on over the past few days and see where it takes us.'

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