Is it time to DROP Harry Kane? Should Gareth Southgate stick with a back three? Mail Sport experts pick their England teams for Euro 2024 semi-final against Netherlands
England are just two games away from European Championship glory after beating Switzerland on penalties on Saturday evening.
As the sixth match of the tournament approaches, you would expect Gareth Southgate to know his best team by now, but in Germany he has not yet found the magic formula.
After four disappointing performances in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Southgate switched to a three-man defence last weekend and there were some improvements.
The question now is whether he should continue with that for Wednesday’s semi-final against the Netherlands or revert to a four-man defence? And after Harry Kane had another disappointing performance against Switzerland, is there any reason for Southgate to drop his captain?
Six Mail Sport experts have revealed how they would like to see England play against the Netherlands in Dortmund.
Gareth Southgate has led his England team to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, but they still need to be firing on all cylinders
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 replaces Ezri Konsa, not that he did anything wrong against Switzerland, and Luke Shaw replaces Kieran Trippier after he finally returns from injury.
Otherwise we leave it as it is, including the system Gareth Southgate has chosen, and hopefully we will have enough to beat the Dutch.
Chris Sutton would make just two changes, bringing on Luke Shaw and Marc Guehi for Kieran Trippier and Ezri Konsa
OLIVER HOLT’S STARTING XI
It would be a radical move to let Kane go, and I am sure Southgate will not do that. But the England captain still seems far from being fully fit.
It is worth taking a chance on Shaw to start at left back, the side looked more balanced during his brief time on the pitch against Switzerland.
Oliver Holt is also said to be keen to bring in Guehi and Shaw and wants Southgate to take the radical step of ditching Harry Kane for Ivan Toney.
Harry Kane has scored twice in Germany but is still far from top form
Ivan Toney is pushing for a starting spot after two impressive substitutions
IAN LADYMAN’S STARTING XI
The formation change brought some improvement against Switzerland and I would stick with it.
I would replace Foden with Palmer though. Foden has had five games to find his best form and he hasn’t succeeded.
Kane has been ineffective but I would always start him. He is the best striker in Europe.
Ian Ladyman believes Phil Foden missed 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 now is to replace Harry Kane with Ivan Toney. Kane is no good, everyone can see that, and it is damaging to the team to let him play.
Toney plays with belief, energy and aggression – let him join in!
Craig Hope is also said to be dropping Foden to the bench, but will replace him with Anthony Gordon and move to a back four on Wednesday night. He is also said to be dropping Kane for Toney
Gordon has only made one brief appearance as a substitute 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 is preferred over Kyle Walker because of his attacking threat.
The number of times Walker found himself in space and attacking positions is staggering.
Relegation for Foden, unfortunately, who will remain a threat from the bench. Cole Palmer deserves a start.
Mike Keegan is also said to be moving to a back four, and would like to see Trent Alexander-Arnold play at right-back instead of Kyle Walker. He is also the third of our experts to bench Kane
Walker has started all five games but offered little attacking threat on the right flank
SAMI MOKBEL’S STARTING XI
The formation change appeared to appeal to more of Southgate’s players on Saturday.
There are advantages to returning to a four-man defence against the Netherlands, so they are evenly matched and it becomes easier to put pressure on England.
But there were enough positive signs last weekend to continue playing with a three-man defense.
Sami Mokbel would like to see Guehi and Shaw start instead of Konsa and Trippier, with Kane keeping his place up front