But for an act of extreme escapology against Slovakia, England wouldn’t even have been afforded the chance to swill at the last chance saloon this afternoon.
Jude Bellingham’s sense of timing, not to mention his dexterity, coupled with Harry Kane’s predatory instincts, have afforded Gareth Southgate another chance to revive his side’s Euro 2024 campaign.
A promising opening half an hour against Serbia aside, England’s route to the last eight has been characterised by turgid, dour, safety-first football.
A new Golden Generation of attacking talent was supposed to afford Southgate the chance to sweep to victory and produce goal-laden performances with a squad which was deemed too good for the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jack Grealish and James Maddison.
Why are England changing formation?
Jude Bellingham’s goal rescued England against Slovakia (Picture: Getty)
The reality has been somewhat different. England have scored just four times in Germany thus far. Jude Bellingham’s header against Serbia came via a deflected cross, while Harry Kane’s poacher’s finish during the early stages of the Denmark stalemate owed more to Victor Kristiansen brainfade.
The Three Lions hardly produced a shot of note against Slovenia in their final group game, while the decisive moments against Slovakia were a product of the kind of route one football that would have had Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis nodding in approval.
In attempt to finally unlock the full potential of the players he has at his disposal, Southgate is strongly considering switching to a 3-5-2 formation that makes a mockery of the months of forward planning that went into preparing for the Euros.
England do, at least, have history where these kind of reactive changes are concerned. Back in 1990, Bobby Robson switched to a sweeper system during the group stages, a move which transformed his team from apparent also-rans into semi finalists.
At Euro 96, meanwhile, Terry Venables deployed Southgate, himelf, in a three-man defence which helped liberate the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Paul Ince as England narrowly missed out on a place in the final on home soil.
And, while the change might appear kneejerk, Southgate can at least point to having players who fit the system. Some will argue that Kieran Trippier is lucky to get the nod over Trent-Alexander Arnold, but a wing-back role will at least play to his attacking strengths.
Bukayo Saka, on the opposite flank, will also offer the natural width that has been missing from England’s left side throughout the tournament so far.
With Kyle Walker’s pace injected into the backline, meanwhile, England should be able to play higher up the pitch, squeeze their opponents and link attack and defence more effectively.
It remains to be seen how the deployment of two natural No.10s in Bellingham and Phil Foden works, but with two centre forards on the bench in Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins, there is room to arm Kane with a natural partner and go with just one playmaker behind the skipper.
How England will line-up vs Switzerland
England could also line up in a 3-5-2 formation against Switzerland
In terms of personnel, the only change from the Slovakia comeback win sees Ezri Konsa replace the suspended Mark Guehi.
Only Saka could be deemed to playing out of position in this system and, even then, he did start his Premier League career in that role.
When Ian Wright mooted the idea earlier in the tournament, Saka said: ‘Obviously I love Ian Wright and he says so many great things about me but I don’t think putting me out of position is the solution.
‘But at the end of the day, I think we can we can talk about this but it’s in Gareth’s hands so we will just have to trust whoever Gareth selects on the day.’
Trippier’s inclusion ahead of Alexander-Arnold, whose omission was branded illegal by Gary Neville at half-time against Slovakia, will remain a bone of contention.
On Trippier, Southgate, at his pre-match press conference, said: ‘Kieran Trippier has also done a brilliant job for the team.
‘His leadership, his communication, his talking (to those on the left) is phenomenal.’
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