John Stones is confident England are capable of a seamless switch to a back three if Gareth Southgate presses ahead with plans to change formation in Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland.
Marc Guéhi’s one-game ban has forced England into at least one defensive change and it is understood they have used training sessions this week to trial a return to the system that carried them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Southgate, who is expected to replace Guéhi with Ezri Konsa, has tried to be more expansive at recent tournaments and has used a 4-2-3-1 system in his team’s first four games at Euro 2024. He has not started with a back three in a major tournament since losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy.
But England have lacked fluidity at these Euros, their pressing game has not clicked and they ended with three at the back in their dramatic win over Slovakia in the last 16. Stones, who has not spoken to the manager about altering tactics, knows from experience of international football that it could work against Switzerland.
“We’ve done it in previous tournaments,” the England centre-back said. “I remember [beating] Germany [during] the last Euros. Previously to that in 2018. I think it’s a great thing to have in the locker if we need to play that system. It’s something that shouldn’t be underestimated for us as a team – that we can do it so easily and seamlessly, and kind of click together.”
Konsa, who has four caps, could be joined in the middle by Stones and Kyle Walker. Kieran Trippier will hope to edge out Trent Alexander-Arnold at right wing-back and Bukayo Saka could offer balance at left wing-back if Luke Shaw is not ready to start after a hamstring injury. Phil Foden could move into a central attacking role, combining with Jude Bellingham behind Harry Kane.
Stones, who said the squad would discuss how to commemorate Saturday being Southgate’s 100th game in charge, considered the difference between three and four at the back. “They bring two different outlooks for us over the years,” he said. “Opposition-wise, it causes them a problem. We’re really fluid in both.”
Stones dismissed concerns over his fitness after he was seen with strapping on his right knee in training earlier this week. It is expected that Uefa will confirm before the weekend whether Bellingham will be sanctioned for a lewd celebration against Slovakia. The feeling remains that the midfielder, who said it was an inside joke with friends, will not be banned.
