Gareth Southgate is a manager who doesn’t like to constantly make changes to his team.
The England manager has only used 13 different starters so far at Euro 2024, with 10 of them starting in all four games.
However, Southgate will have to make at least one substitution when the Three Lions take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who has played every minute of England’s European Championship so far as Southgate’s regular left-back, has been suspended after receiving yellow cards against Slovenia and Slovakia.
Southgate may also have to make a change at left-back after Kieran Trippier went off in the 66th minute during the comeback win over Slovakia in the last 16.
Marc Guehi (left) has been suspended for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland
Kieran Trippier (left) could also miss the match after picking up an injury against Slovakia
Trippier is a right-back but played England’s first four games at left-back due to Luke Shaw being unfit.
Shaw only returned to team training last month after being out of action since February with a hamstring injury.
He could soon be fit enough to play as a substitute, but he will certainly not start against Switzerland due to his lack of playing time recently.
That leaves Southgate in third position with a potential crisis.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright recently suggested that Southgate could move Bukayo Saka from the right wing to the left side of defence.
Southgate did indeed follow this advice when Trippier was substituted on Sunday. But it was apparently only a temporary solution, dictated by the fact that England were 1-0 down and wanted to win the game.
Saka himself has indicated that he would rather not move to the left-back position.
Bukayo Saka (right) replaced the left-back position against Slovakia, but would prefer to play further forward
England manager Gareth Southgate, pictured during Monday’s training session, has decisions to make
Responding to the suggestion made by his fellow Gunners favourite last week, Saka said BBC 5 Live: ‘No, of course I think Ian Wright is great and he says so many good things about me, but I don’t think removing me from my position is the solution.
“But ultimately I think we can talk about this, but it’s in Gareth’s hands, so we’ll just have to trust what Gareth chooses that day.”
That is the big question now. Who will Southgate select on Saturday?
Assuming Southgate is looking for a new left-back and a new partner for John Stones at centre-back, it seems likely that six players with a chance to break through the defense that started against Slovakia.
1.Luke Shaw
As previously mentioned, Shaw is not match fit.
It would be a bold move from Southgate to ask the Manchester United forward to start in a key quarter-final after being sidelined for 139 days.
Then again, it was a pretty bold move by Southgate to name Shaw in his tournament squad, especially as the only natural left-back. So who knows?
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has not played a competitive match since February
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold started twice in England’s group stage as a central midfielder, but he is a natural attacking right-back.
Liverpool’s star player could play at left-back against Switzerland.
A more likely scenario, however, would see the 25-year-old enter the field at right-back, with Kyle Walker moving to the left.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played in midfield in the group stage, but can now also play in defence
3. Ezri Konsa
Aston Villa defender Konsa only made his international debut in March, but he now has five caps to his name after his 15th-minute appearance against Slovakia on Sunday.
The 26-year-old is very versatile, which can come in handy, as he regularly switched between right-back and centre-back at Villa last season.
If Walker were to move to the left, Konsa could easily slot in on the right. He would also be a natural replacement for Guehi, while he could probably do a job as an emergency left-back if needed.
Ezri Konsa (right) made his debut at Euro 2024 in Sunday night’s win over Slovakia
4. Lewis Dunk
Brighton captain Dunk is less versatile than Konsa, he will either play as a centre-back or not at all.
If Southgate does call up the 32-year-old, it will likely be because he has more experience. Although Dunk has only won six caps for the England senior team to date, he has made 470 senior appearances, including 241 in the Premier League.
If Dunk does play on Saturday, it will be his first participation in the 2024 European Championship.
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has not yet appeared on the field for England in Germany this summer
5. Joe Gomez
Gomez actually played 14 games at left back for Liverpool last season, he also played at right back, centre back and in midfield.
The former Charlton defender has represented England 15 times. Gomez has also featured in a number of major European games for his club, so Southgate could see him as the man to handle the big event.
But like Dunk, Gomez has not played a single minute at this summer’s European Championships.
Liverpool’s Joe Gomez has also not played a minute at Euro 2024, but that could change
6. Adam Wharton
This seems the least likely option.
But defensive midfielder Wharton is at least left-footed and could therefore provide some balance to the England defence.
The 20-year-old Palace youngster has made just one appearance for the national team, making his debut in last month’s European Championship victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.