ENGLAND face a potential semi-final nightmare if they beat Switzerland tonight, with FIVE players walking a suspension tight rope.
Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Kieran Trippier are three players at risk of missing the semi-final if they pick up a yellow card tonight.
They’re joined by Kobbie Mainoo and Conor Gallagher in having to avoid a yellow if they are to play in the semi-final against either Holland or Turkey.
Of course, the Three Lions will have to beat Switzerland first before they can start thinking about that though.
The Swiss themselves also have several players at risk of suspension tonight.
Talisman Granit Xhaka is one yellow away from missing the semi-final should they get there, he’s joined by Remo Freuler, Dan Ndoye, Ricardo Rodriguez and Vincent Sierro.
Uefa rules state that players that have picked up two yellow cards in separate matches will receive a one game suspension.
Teams’ yellow cards tallies will be wiped out from the semi-final onwards, meaning whichever team makes the semis will be able to play without the fear of a yellow card in the back of their mind.
England have already been stung by a yellow card suspension for their game against the Swiss, with Marc Guehi missing through suspension.
Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa is expected to step in for Guehi.
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Southgate needs Mainoo to help cure England’s fear, says Jack Wilshere
KOBBIE MAINOO has shown he is the player that England need to build their midfield — and their team — around, writes Jack Wilshere.
That’s what I felt as it looked like we were slipping to defeat against Slovakia.
I know he was not on the pitch when our goals went in.
But until that unbelievable comeback, Mainoo was our best player.
He has a fearlessness and an instinct to do the right things at the right times that seemed to be lacking for so much of the game.
Mainoo alongside Declan Rice gives England better structure. In theory, at least, because for so long it didn’t look like that.
You can have any structure you like but if a team, individually and collectively, lacks confidence, you cannot use that structure effectively.
A fear can creep in. A fear of failing. A fear of losing the ball.
It is partly because of his age that Mainoo does not have that, or appears not to have it.
This was his first start in a major tournament. He does not know what it is like to have a bad one.
If we want to win this tournament, starting with the quarter-final against Switzerland, we will need to control games better.
Mainoo is the kind of midfielder England have been crying out for for a long time.
He can be the glue that holds together this team for the rest of the tournament and well into the future.
Read Jack Wilshere’s column in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 opinions.
Guehi’s suspension is part of the reason Gareth Southgate is expected to switch to a back three tonight – with Trippier and Bukayo Saka expected to start as wing backs to provide width.
The three at the back formation will also see England match up with Switzerland tactically – with the Swiss favouring a 3-4-2-1 formation.
In better news for England suspension wise, Jude Bellingham has been cleared to face Switzerland after making an offensive gesture towards Slovakia’s bench in England’s last game.
He’s been given a suspended one game ban and slapped with a £25,000 fine by Uefa.
England must go old-school to shock Switzerland… this formation would be perfect, says Jurgen Klinsmann
IT might be time for England to try something different at these Euros, writes Jurgen Klinsmann.
Maybe Gareth Southgate will want to start the quarter-final against Switzerland in a 4-4-2 formation, with Ivan Toney alongside Harry Kane up front.
I think it might work, and if Gareth feels the same, he should do it.
This is the time when, as a manager at a tournament, you have to trust your gut instinct and never hold back from unpopular decisions.
The quarter-finals are make-or-break time. Win and you’re in the last four and everyone respects you.
Lose and it’s not acceptable for big nations like England, Germany, France and Spain.
England are facing the best Swiss team of all time on Saturday – and it is certain to be another rollercoaster.
I understand there can be snobbery about playing a 4-4-2 but sometimes you have to do something different.Â
It can still be a fantastic system — two hard-working frontmen like Kane and Toney can be a real threat to the opposition.
I think England need to surprise the Swiss, to try something different.
And that just might be a good old-fashioned 4-4-2.
Read Jurgen Klinsmann’s column in full.
Or check out all of Jurgen’s Euro 2024 opinions.