Rio Ferdinand has predicted the team Gareth Southgate will pick for England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
The Three Lions meet Switzerland in Dortmund on Saturday after completing an incredible comeback against Slovakia in the last-16 stage.
Southgate’s side were a couple of minutes away from an embarrassing Euros exit but Jude Bellingham’s stunning injury-time goal and Harry Kane’s extra-time header turned the tie on its head and sent England through.
England fans are already debating the team Southgate should pick on Saturday as the Three Lions look to get past a Switzerland side who knocked out European Champions Italy last time out and almost beat hosts Germany in the group stage.
Southgate will make at least one enforced change after Marc Guehi picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Slovakia to be suspended for the quarter-final.
‘This is what I think Gareth will play,’ England and Manchester United legend Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
‘Jordan Pickford picks himself. Right-back, Kyle Walker. Marc Guehi is suspended so Ezri Konsa will come in I think. John Stones and then I still think he will play Kieran Trippier at left-back.
‘I would play Luke Shaw, I would get him out there even if he was 75% fit, I’m sorry. He would give us the balance that we need. I would play him.
‘I don’t think Trippier has that real understanding of playing left-back. He’s a great right-back and a great player but he’s finding it difficult. I think he plays Trippier though, as much as I would play Shaw.
‘I think he keeps it the same: Declan Rice, Kobbie Mainoo, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Harry Kane.
‘I don’t think he changes. I cannot see him making changes. I think we will see late subs again and win the game.’
England fans may be underwhelmed if Ferdinand’s prediction comes true, especially given Trippier’s struggles at left-back and the general lack of cohesion in the team.
Indeed, ex-England striker Alan Shearer has called for three changes from the team that struggled against Slovakia.
Asked what changes he would make, Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast: ‘I would keep [Cole] Palmer in I would bring [Anthony] Gordon in. I would keep Mainoo in because he’s done enough.’
On Guehi’s absence, 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.’