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Euro 2024 – England vs Switzerland: Gary Neville believes Three Lions will lose quarter-final if they do not improve | Football News

On: July 1, 2024 By: admin

Gary Neville believes England will be beaten by Switzerland in Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final if Gareth Southgate’s side continue to play at their current level – with the Sky Sports pundit asking the Three Lions manager to “take more risks” in his selection.

England were 86 seconds away from a shock 1-0 elimination to Slovakia in the last 16 before Jude Bellingham’s sublime overhead kick forced extra-time, where Harry Kane scored the winning goal.

Next up for England is the challenge of Switzerland, who beat holders Italy in their last-16 clash on Saturday, and Neville believes Southgate’s side will not be so lucky this weekend if they do not improve.

“Four times this England team have played in this tournament where they’ve been below par,” he told Sky Sports News. “They will hope that this is the catalyst for what would be improved performance levels and a change of direction in performance.

“Winning is everything in tournaments, but performances matter because eventually there’s only so far you can go being the inferior team. Not playing as well and winning will eventually catch you out and I think it will catch England out on Saturday if they keep playing at the same level.

“Let’s be really clear. Three weeks ago, if you had handed this England squad, Gareth Southgate, the players, and us as fans, Switzerland in the quarter-finals, we would have bitten your hand off.

“But Switzerland are playing well, they’re a decent team. They are not to be disrespected and they won’t be by the players, but if we don’t raise the performance levels, we’re going out on Saturday.

“We were fortunate to get past Slovakia and rode our luck in the group where if Denmark scored one more goal, we would have played Germany. So we’ve rode our luck twice now, it could be written in the stars that we ride our luck all the way to the final, but my head is telling me we will hit a major obstacle if we carry on and we need to take risks to free ourselves up.

“We looked like England teams of the past where they looked frightened to death, like in the first half yesterday.”

Who would Neville start against Switzerland?

The “risks” Neville spoke about relate to Southgate’s team selection. In all four Euro 2024 matches so far, the England manager has picked the same 10 players, only rotating between Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo for the central midfield spot.

Neville wants to see Alexander-Arnold start at right-back, with Kyle Walker moved over to left-back – plus see Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon start in attack over Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden – but the former Manchester United and England defender believes widespread changes are unlikely.

“We thought there would be more changes and greater interference, but Gareth’s not going to do that now,” Neville claimed. “I think it does need some type of change, but Gareth – in the first four games – has made as limited changes as he could possibly do.

“He will be forced into one with [Marc] Guehi being suspended but apart from that, he will go in with the players as he sees it and try and almost play them into form through consistency, and the fact they’re working together more and there’s resilience building in them.

“But it just feels like there is a different dynamic. You talk about imbalance, that imbalance will remain if we continue to pick the same players. There is a rebalance and reset needed, but I’m not sure we’re going to get it.”

Will Shaw be risked by England this weekend?

One risk Southgate could take is starting Luke Shaw at left-back. The defender has been out with a hamstring injury and has not played since the middle of February – but Shaw did make the bench for the slender win over Slovakia.

“He was available to be used off the bench yesterday, he could have five days of training to put into his legs and his body before Saturday,” Neville said.

“It’s a big risk. A fit Luke Shaw is a big asset, and the reason why maybe the left-hand side is not working as it should be is the same reason why it wasn’t working at Manchester United due to Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Victor Lindelof playing there.

“Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho struggled because Shaw wasn’t there linking with them and supporting them. It’s really important and England haven’t had that and suffered with it. Phil Foden has suffered with it. Shaw can overlap and underlap, but we haven’t got it.

“Is it too big a risk playing Shaw on Saturday? My gut feeling is yes. But also my absolute unequivocal position is England need to take risks, to do something and change something. If Southgate feels he can get a performance out of Shaw on Saturday, he will put him in, but it’s a massive risk.”

Harry Kane: England captain says he is ‘fresh and fit’, but Three Lions ‘not played the way we wanted’ at Euro 2024 | Football News

On: June 23, 2024 By: admin

Harry Kane says he is “fresh and fit” to play despite concerns, but adds that England have “not played the way we wanted” ahead of their final group game with Slovenia.

Kane missed Bayern Munich’s final game of the Bundesliga season with a back injury, and some have questioned whether he is still carrying a knock after a sluggish start of Euro 2024.

However, the Three Lions captain assured fans that he is ready and offered an insight into some of the tactics of his play so far.

“I physically feel fresh and fit,” he told a press conference. “I know sometimes when I’ve had bad games, there’s always someone looking for a reason why.

“It’s a heightened environment in a tournament and there’s been more chatter, but I feel fit and ready and I’ll play for as long as the manager wants me to.

“My preparation [for the tournament] was pretty good. The first game I felt as fit as I have all season. I came off last game [against Denmark] but that was down to the manager wanting to freshen things up.

“Going into this knockout phase I want to feel 100 per cent, and I feel as if I’m there.

“Some games I will stay high, sometimes I’ll drop in. As a team we’re trying to find some fluidity, and we haven’t quite clicked right. But we’re all at a high level, that will come.

“Most importantly, with the ball we need to be better, keep the ball, play higher, and get in between the lines. That will come, but we need to go out and prove it. Hopefully that comes on Tuesday.”

Kane went on to admit that he and his England team-mates have not performed at their best so far in Germany, but called for calm with them top of Group C heading into the final game.

“Momentum is the right word,” the striker said. “Before the tournament if you said we’d be in a position to qualify after two games, we’d have taken it.

“We can be honest and say we have not played the way we wanted to up to now.

“Tuesday is important for the feeling of the group, for an all-round better feeling coming off the pitch and take that into the rest of the tournament. We want to finish top.

“Calm is important. Most of us have been here and done it – we’ve given England fans some fantastic memories.

“After the tournament you can judge us. During the tournament, it’s down to us to get it right, and find how to do it right. We want to try and find a solution.

“We know 99 per cent of England fans are behind us, but everyone has a right to have an opinion.”

A win for England in Cologne on Tuesday would ensure they go through to the knockout rounds as group winners, and Kane hopes the team can use the match against Slovenia as a springboard for the rest of the tournament.

“We definitely want to win the group,” he said. “It’s not just to avoid [certain teams], but we want momentum in the knockout stages.

“We expect to finish top, but if we don’t, it’s not a panic. We want to put a marker down on Tuesday and use that for the rest of the tournament.

“We have a good environment where everyone talks openly and honestly. It’s positive messages. We know the reality of where we are, but we also know we can improve and get better. The new or younger players are catching onto that pretty quick.”

Euro 2024 – Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener | Football News

On: June 17, 2024 By: admin

It wasn’t pretty – but England got off to a winning start to Euro 2024 thanks to a 1-0 win over Serbia.

When Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute opener went in, the floodgates were primed to open – but Gareth Southgate’s side found it tricky.

A quieter-than-usual Harry Kane struck the bar late in the game while Jordan Pickford denied Dusan Vlahovic with a stunning finger-tip save late on, but the Three Lions settled for a one-goal victory to move to the top of Group C.

Make your own player ratings and take a look at Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz’s player ratings below…

England

Jordan Pickford – 7

Before his stunning save to deny Dusan Vlahovic in the final ten minutes, the only real involvement from England’s No 1 was one punch.

But the manner in which he tipped the late effort over shows the sign of a good goalkeeper – concentration when critical.

The clear plan was to go long towards Kane and Pickford kicked into the right areas. A tenth clean sheet at a major tournament is nothing to be sniffed at as well.

Kyle Walker – 8

Outstanding at both ends. The Man City captain was important in sweeping up any early counter-attacks as England suffocated Serbia early on. Then provided the key pass at the other end to release Bukayo Saka for Bellingham’s goal.

The right-back almost scored a second, which would have calmed England’s second-half nerves, but the pace he showed to create the chance proved why he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

John Stones -7

Any accusations that he was not ready enough for this game were dismissed when he barged Dusan Vlahovic after 20 seconds to stop an early Serbian chance.

The Man City defender did show signs of tiredness, but that is to be expected given his lack of minutes. An awkward clearance at the end of the first half showed that, while Filip Mladenovic started giving him issues down the right in the second period.

But he then produced a key header with minutes left as Serbia put on the pressure late on. After some availability doubts, Stones is back.

Marc Guehi – 8

Phenomenal.

The Crystal Palace defender showed calmness in possession – his first misplaced pass came after the hour mark.

The way he stepped forward to win the ball back in dangerous areas shows he has the presence that Harry Maguire left behind. If he carries on like this, it’s a game-changing summer ahead.

Kieran Trippier – 7

Mr Reliable. Trippier was forced to provide width down the left due to Phil Foden cutting inside, but was still at the right place in the England penalty area when required.

Given the left-back has struggled for minutes in recent weeks, this was a solid display should Luke Shaw need more time to recover.

Declan Rice – 9

A real faultless display, the reliable balance to all that creativity ahead of him.

The Arsenal midfielder produced double digits in ball recoveries and quite a few of them came in important moments on the edge of his own box.

Rice is growing into a big-game player for country now, not just club. And you can see why Gareth Southgate has put him in his leadership group.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8

A livewire. Had plenty of shots from midfield and took up good areas – while his smart interception created the Walker chance in the first half.

He was taken off as England needed more energy in midfield, but the Liverpool player showed he can do the running side of the game as well.

He made that mistake for Aleksandr Mitrovic’s first-half chance but it was a small dot on a very encouraging display.

Jude Bellingham – 9

England’s flame. After the first half, you were looking at one of the all-time Three Lions displays at a major tournament.

For the second major tournament in a row, a Bellingham late run and header into the box has got England up and running. While he will take the headlines, this all-round display was impressive.

He recorded the most duels won in the England team and Serbia could only foul him to stop him. His attitude to give some aggression back to his opponents makes him even more box office.

Bukayo Saka – 8

The way he kept taking on his opposite number, you wouldn’t think this was his first start in five weeks. He hassled Filip Kostic in one-on-ones so much in the first half that the Serbian wing-back was forced off due to injury, probably caused by exhaustion.

The Arsenal winger is not just England’s out ball on the break down the right, but the change in direction this team needs to break down tight defences. His assist for Bellingham’s opener proves that.

Harry Kane – 7

Another intriguing performance. England’s captain touched the ball just once in the first half an hour and twice in the whole opening period. His third touch was even intercepted by the referee.

But Kane was given a real test by Serbia’s centre-backs, especially in the air. He rose to the challenge in the second period and brought the Three Lions up the pitch brilliantly – then could have got a second only for a stunning save onto the bar.

If he has to be selfless so others, especially Bellingham, can thrive, then so be it.

Phil Foden – 7

The Premier League Player of the Year was in the game but wasn’t really influencing it. Foden didn’t take any Serbia defenders on but did get involved defensively.

How the Man City forward influences this team will still remain a mystery for Southgate.

Substitutes

Conor Gallagher – 6

Brought on as England’s energy levels dropped and the Three Lions did improve a little after his introduction. But too many lost balls and heavy touches meant Southgate’s side couldn’t settle. The Chelsea midfielder could still be useful against higher-quality opposition.

Jarrod Bowen – 7

Many cried “Bowen?!” when he was preferred to Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon as a wide replacement. But then the West Ham winger beat his opposite number and set up Kane brilliantly to strike the bar. Southgate appears to trust him, that’s why he travelled.

Kobbie Mainoo (n/a)

Not on long enough for a rating, but being trusted for the final few minutes as Bellingham’s replacement is another impressive landmark for the teenager.

England starting XI vs Serbia for Euro 2024 opener: Sky Sports writers pick their Three Lions teams | Football News

On: June 10, 2024 By: admin

Gareth Southgate has a few key selection dilemmas ahead of England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia on Sunday.

England are without Harry Maguire at a major tournament for the first time under Southgate’s tenure, leaving the manager with a big choice to make at centre-back as to who partners John Stones, while left-back is another problem area.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is finally getting his chance at a major tournament, but will he start in midfield? Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are also pushing for a spot there.

The attack is brimming with talent, the question is how to find the right balance with the players available. Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden have made compelling cases to start as the No 10, but don’t forget Cole Palmer.

Eberechi Eze, Anthony Gordon and Jarrod Bowen could also provide something different for Southgate.

Here, the Sky Sports writers pick their starting XIs for Sunday’s game against Serbia at 8pm…

‘Combine Foden and Bellingham and add Gallagher’s industry for fast start’

Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:

After that woeful send-off defeat to Iceland, Gareth Southgate will be desperate to field his strongest XI on Sunday to get England’s Euros campaign off to a flying start. Given the challenge Serbia are likely to pose, this is surely it.

An opening-game win won’t be straightforward. Serbia, despite low expectations and a manager under pressure, have dangerous individuals. But Kieran Trippier has the defensive nous to limit Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as a stand-in left-back, while Conor Gallagher brings the industry to overpower a relatively weak opposition central midfield but also get back to help Kyle Walker with Serbia dangerman Dusan Tadic.

Strahinja Pavlovic, on the right of a back-three, could limit Bukayo Saka’s progress so the left channel looks likely to be England’s route to success, where Phil Foden, coming in from the wing, and Jude Bellingham, bursting forwards as a No 8, can combine in exciting fashion.

‘Time to unleash Trent in midfield’

Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:

I want to see Trent Alexander-Arnold feature prominently at the tournament and I would have him in midfield against Serbia. The fact he has been given the No 8 shirt hopefully indicates Gareth Southgate is thinking along the same lines. His vision and passing prowess can be a game-changer against group-stage rivals expected to sit deep.

The defence worries me. Not so much because of Marc Guehi, who I like alongside John Stones in Harry Maguire’s absence, but because of the left-back situation. Kieran Trippier just edges Joe Gomez but the position is an obvious weak spot as we wait for Luke Shaw’s return.

Jude Bellingham’s importance means he goes straight into my team despite the quick turnaround from the Champions League final, and that means Phil Foden moves to the left. Bukayo Saka, frequently England’s best player, is an obvious pick on the right.

‘Palmer deserves to start at No 10’

Sky Sports’ Charlotte Marsh:

Although Trent Alexander-Arnold has excelled in a more roaming role further forward, with a lack of full-backs in the England squad, he has to go where needed – and can still be effective.

Marc Guehi will be a reliable partner alongside John Stones and was one of England’s only bright sparks in a woeful performance against Iceland.

Although Cole Palmer is placed in more of a midfield role in my XI, he could conceivably start on the wing, rotating with other members of the squad. But given his superb season and Three Lions performances heading into the tournament, he deserves a starting berth.

‘Attack the best form of defence’

Sky Sports’ David Richardson:

Attack! Attack! Attack, attack, attack! Gareth Southgate is overloaded with forward options so now’s the time to use them.

England should make a statement against Serbia with a front-foot approach, unleashing both Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in midfield.

Eberechi Eze deserves to start on the left after his showing against Bosnia & Herzegovina with Anthony Gordon ready to replace him and run at tired defenders. The same applies for Cole Palmer, who must be utilised for either Bukayo Saka or Foden to boost goal difference. Substitutes need to be made early enough for them to have an impact.

Kyle Walker can tuck into midfield alongside Declan Rice to keep the opposition penned in and nullified on the counter-attack, allowing Kieran Trippier to ease in at left-back.

It’s time for England, with their patched-up defence, to score not one but three more than you!

‘Gomez & Wharton to start, with Rice pushed further forward’

Sky Sports’ Richard Morgan:

In essence, England’s starting XI to face Serbia comes down to three positions: centre-back, No 6 and the right-sided forward – with the remaining eight players certain of their places.

I have gone for the experience, reliability and pace of Joe Gomez to partner John Stones at the heart of England’s back line, while the now fit Bukayo Saka just manages to hold off Cole Palmer’s challenge to take his place in their three-man forward line.

However, in order to have Declan Rice nearer the opposition goal as a No 8, where we often saw him excel with Arsenal last season, I’ve drafted in Adam Wharton, 20, to make his first competitive start for his country as a holding midfield player, helping to put out Serbia fires in front of the defence.

‘England will benefit from giving Bellingham extra rest’

Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds:

I expect England to finish group winners. With that in mind, I would give Jude Bellingham an extended break following a long season with Real Madrid.

Gareth Southgate has shown he can be ruthless but he is also sensitive towards young players with mounting expectations on their shoulders. It would not come as a shock to me to see Bellingham benched.

He has looked exhausted over the past month and didn’t perform in either leg of the Champions League semi-final or indeed at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund.

Cole Palmer is perfect for this early test in the No 10 role to allow Bellingham time to return to his best.

Marc Guehi gets the nod at centre-back alongside John Stones and it is a partnership that Southgate will hope sticks throughout the tournament.

Harry Maguire’s absence will have sparked uncertainty in the camp over who partners Stones, but the sooner the back four is established the better for England’s chances.

‘Steady Konsa should partner Stones in defence’

Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell:

The big decision here was who to partner John Stones and Ezri Konsa gets my vote. His steady and consistent performances in a team that builds from the back make him the best fit.

Kieran Trippier is in at left-back only by dint of Luke Shaw’s injury. His late season form is a worry, but if he can return to his best, this is a solid back four.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown he simply has to be in this team and a midfield trio of himself, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham looks terrifying on paper. It’s a risk as this is untested, but England need his creativity to break teams down in the group stage.

The front four takes little explaining: Bellingham must play further forward, and we can’t fall into the same old trap of shoehorning our best players in at the risk of losing balance.

If any of those three behind Harry Kane are underperforming, Cole Palmer is hot on their heels. I wouldn’t put it past him to displace either Phil Foden or Bukayo Saka in this tournament.

‘Mainoo has proved he can handle the big occasions’

Sky Sports’ Dan Sansom:

With Harry Maguire unavailable, Marc Guehi is the best option to partner John Stones in defence. Guehi is used to playing on the left-hand side for Crystal Palace and although he lacks experience in international tournaments, he already has 11 caps to his name since making his debut two years ago. He deserves to take the next step.

Kieran Trippier is a straightforward replacement for injured left-back Luke Shaw, while Kobbie Mainoo should start alongside Declan Rice in midfield. The 19-year-old has been fast-tracked into the senior set-up but his performances against Brazil and Belgium in March and a player-of-the-match display for Manchester United in the FA Cup final prove he can handle the big occasions.

In attack, Phil Foden is more effective in a central position but that place is taken by Jude Bellingham. Both players must start so Foden will begin on the left, where he can still have a devastating impact as long as he’s given the freedom to drift inside.

‘Trent to start alongside Rice’

Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:

There aren’t too many issues with the England back five. Marc Guehi’s recent England displays have shown he is more than capable in that position, while Kieran Trippier played the first game at Euro 2020 at left-back so it is not exactly foreign for him.

As for who plays alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in central midfield, Trent Alexander-Arnold should take the role. What Rice and Bellingham bring is energy in midfield through running, while Alexander-Arnold is the pass master.

The Liverpool man’s ball-playing range could be crucial to the Three Lions being more unpredictable while trying to break down low-block teams in the group stage.

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