ALAN SHEARER has urged Gareth Southgate to start Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Ezri Konsa against Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final.
The Three Lions faced a humiliating last 16 exit at the hands of Slovakia before the heroics of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane.
The only two to have scored for England at Euro 2024, again sparred Southgate’s blushes with a last-gasp 2-1 victory on Sunday.
England have therefore set up a last eight showdown with Switzerland on Saturday.
But a lack of cohesion, creativity and energy has been levied against the squad and manager who repeatedly fails to make substitutions.
And now Shearer has called on Southgate to make drastic changes to his starting XI.
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The former England striker told The Rest is Football podcast: “I would keep Palmer in and I would bring Gordon in.
“I would keep Mainoo in because he’s done enough.’
Konsa will likely get the nod after Marc Guehi’s third minute booking against Slovakia left him suspended for the quarter-final.
Shearer added: “I would go with Konsa. He is the one who has been involved a little bit more so I would bring him in.
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“Left-back, that’s another problem. Shaw won’t be able to play, he didn’t even come on for a few minutes so he can’t start, he hasn’t played for months.”
Southgate’s substitutions, or lack of, have been a talking point among fans and pundits throughout the competition.
Ivan Toney, Conor Gallagher and Konsa all entered the fray late on to help push the Three Lions through.
Shearer also insisted there can be “no excuses” for the ”no energy, no pace” that was displayed.
Gary Lineker, 63, said: “Not at one point did I think England wouldn’t win that game. Late, late drama, of course. And England, I think it’s fair to say, scraped through against Slovakia in the round of 16.
“I don’t think any of us really expected what we saw, to be perfectly honest. God, it was so stressful watching it, wasn’t it?”
The minutes played by the three England stars
Anthony Gordon has played ONE minute at Euro 2024.
Gordon was brought on in the 89th minute in England’s dire goalless draw with Slovenia in the final group game.
Cole Palmer also did not feature in England’s first two group games.
The Chelsea star has played 73 minutes in the tournament, across four matches.
Palmer received 19 minutes against Slovenia and 54 minutes of England vs Slovakia.
Ezri Konsa nine minutes of extra-time in the 2-1 clash on Sunday.
The best of England vs Slovakia
CHECK out all the best action from England’s rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
