GARY LINEKER has suggested Gareth Southgate makes a major change to his starting XI against Holland.
After England’s victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals, England are now just one match away from reaching the final of the Euros.
It’s not been a straightforward run for England in the competition, with the Three Lions flattering to deceive despite the ample array of talent available to Southgate.
Southgate switched to a back three for the game against Switzerland, with Bukayo Saka starring out of position as a right wing back and Kieran Trippier playing left wing back.
England looked more fluid, but still ran into the problem of Trippier having to cut in to use his preferred right foot.
Now Lineker has called on England to make a change on the left.
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Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker said that Luke Shaw should come into the team at left wing back.
Shaw had gone into the tournament as an injury doubt having not played since February, with Southgate admitting his inclusion of the Manchester United man was a “long shot”.
But he came on in the 78th minute against Switzerland and lasted through extra-time.
Lineker said: “I think Shaw will start as left wing-back, think we will stick with the same system. I think it would be slightly odd to go back to a system that wasn’t working and have the same problem with the balance on the left-hand side which he [Gareth Southgate] never addressed in four matches.
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“Then he did address it, even though it was Trippier, and he’s not naturally left-footed, but you put Shaw in there and he’s got a lovely balance.”
Lineker also expects Marc Guehi to come back in on the left side of the defence, despite Ezri Konsa impressing in his suspension-enforced absence.
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It was a win by the narrowest of margins but this was overall our best performance of Euro 2024.
If we can build on the progress we made, especially in the first half, we could WIN the tournament.
It was not a complete display. There were nervy moments and waiting so long to make changes could have cost us.
But we saw what a good team England can be if they do the right things and put players in the right positions.
The first half was England’s best since the first 45 against Serbia. Maybe even better.
One of the keys to that was our press and the effect it had on Granit Xhaka.
For the first time in four games we were pressing high, winning the ball back in better areas and putting Switzerland on the back foot.
In previous matches, our forwards were pressing but the gaps between our lines were too big.
That was leaving huge gaps for Declan Rice and whoever was partnering him to cover.
This time there was better structure and organisation.
There seemed to be more of a plan for when to drop into a block and when to jump out to press.
Now England have the opportunity to build momentum and show why they can win this tournament.
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Lineker also insisted that England should not feel like they have to stick with Harry Kane if the England captain is not playing well.
He said: “He’s not going to start with someone else but even after an hour you can see how things are going and then you could bring on someone like [Ollie] Watkins which I think could release Foden and Bellingham as they constantly look behind.
“It might enhance the team’s chances which I know sounds strange because he’s [Kane] your best goalscorer but there’s nothing wrong with not playing 90 minutes even if it’s your captain.”
He also suggested Watkins could play from the start to “run them ragged” before bringing Kane on.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
