Phil Foden Man City England
Phil Foden Man City

England take on Ukraine in the quarter-final of the European Championship and there’s a big chance Gareth Southgate might have to reshuffle his starting line-up from the Germany game.

The manager used a 3-4-3 formation in the Round of 16 and most pundits have urged the manager to keep the same system and the same players in his first XI this Saturday as well.

And while Gareth Southgate would love to do that but a few of his first-team players are flirting with suspensions so we think the manager will have to rotate his squad.

As many as four England players are currently on a yellow card and so if they receive another one they will have to serve a one-match ban. That would mean they will miss the semi-final – should England win on Saturday.

Going into the quarter-final, Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden all have one yellow card each.

Since Ukraine are not the strongest of sides, there’s a big chance the England manager could opt to rest some of these players and bring in the benchwarmers.

 

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Southgate has the option of using Tyrone Mings in defence but there’s no way he will put a fully fit Harry Maguire on the bench. Despite the one-match suspension looming large, the Manchester United man is going to start in defence alongside John Stones and Kyle Walker.

Declan Rice and Phillips have been great as a pair for England so far but one or maybe both of them could watch from the bench on Saturday.

The Three Lions boss has the option of bringing in Jordan Henderson and he can also call in the highly talented Jude Bellingham.

 

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Phil Foden did not play against Germany and with Mason Mount coming back into the side we doubt if the Man City man will get a start against Ukraine either.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka started on the right wing on Tuesday and many experts believe the youngster should start in the quarter-final as well. But doubt if the manager is going for this option.

Jack Grealish made an instant impact after he came off the bench in the 2-0 win and Gareth Southgate is likely to keep him on the bench on Saturday as well.

So, all in all, apart from Harry Maguire none of the other three yellow carded players are guaranteed starters. And since it’s Ukraine, the England boss can afford to use some of his non-regular players.

Stats via EURO 2020 official website.

Read: England fans likely to banned from the EURO 2020 quarter-final game.

Read: England’s team news vs Ukraine – European Championship.

Read: These two England players undoubtedly deserve more respect after the Germany game.

Read: Southgate’s tactics vs Germany hailed as brilliant.

Read: Ukraine vs England – Predictions, Trivia, Venue, Kick-off, Betting Odds.