Euro 2024: Our writers pick their England XIs to face Slovakia
Gareth Southgate has some big decisions to make for the last-16 tie; here is who our writers in Germany would select
After three sluggish group-stage performances, England urgently need to find their groove against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen. Should Gareth Southgate reshuffle his attack, and is it time to risk Luke Shaw at left-back? Our writers pick their starting XIs below …
I would persist with Jude Bellingham in the No 10 role, which flies in the face of his performances against Denmark and Slovenia. But I just feel that as the team look/ pray for a click, Bellingham has the potential to drive it. After all of the criticism, he will be fiercely motivated; the key will be for him to master his emotions. Phil Foden has had quite the week off the field; far from ideal in terms of his preparations. He can affect the game off the bench. Kobbie Mainoo provides security on the ball, the ability to get the team up the pitch and it is time for Anthony Gordon on the left – for his threat in behind and for balance because Trippier will not overlap from left-back. Everybody is waiting for Luke Shaw but it would be too risky to start him after so long out and also because there are hopefully more games to come. Cole Palmer’s X-factor on the right stands to make a difference. David Hytner
