Tonight is the night, as England take on the Netherlands for a place in the final of Euro 2024, where Spain await following their 2-1 win over France.
The team sheets are yet to be officially announced, but reports this afternoon suggest Gareth Southgate is set to stick with the same 3-4-2-1 system that saw us beat the Swiss on penalties and make one change, seeing Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi replace Ezri Konsa after returning from a one-match ban.
Expected England XI: Pickford – Walker, Stones, Guehi – Saka, Mainoo, Rice, Trippier – Bellingham, Foden – Kane.
This would see Anthony Gordon remain on the bench – no surprise there, sadly – with Phil Foden preferred once again, Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka as wing-backs, Harry Kane up top despite his struggles all tournament and Kobbie Maino in midfield alongside Declan Rice.
Speaking about Luke Shaw’s return to fitness, Southgate heaped praise on Trippier, saying: “We are very happy to have him (Shaw) back. He obviously gives us balance, different balance with the team, but also Kieran has done a fantastic job.
“He [Trippier] has played on many important nights for us. We have had a lot of big nights over the last seven or eight years. He has been so important on those occasions, but also around the squad, how he is with the rest of the players and the staff, so we are very fortunate to have players like him in our squad.”
I’ve never seen such a lack of enthusiasm for England under Southgate due to the boring style the team play.
He has no vision or imagination, even if they were to fluke another two wins my opinion would be the same.
Joseph(Quote)
After watching the first half, the difference Gordon would make on the left hand side instead of Trippier would stretch the Dutch and Southgate just can’t see it!
Joseph(Quote)