It is a gigantic risk for Gareth Southgate to drop three-at-the-back on his England players for Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, writes CHRIS SUTTON

I’m not sure if this is the right time for Gareth Southgate to take a gamble and switch to a three-man defence out of fear of the Swiss.

Ezri Konsa plays for Aston Villa, who don’t use three defenders. Lewis Dunk for Brighton, who don’t. Joe Gomez for Liverpool, who don’t. Kyle Walker and John Stones for Manchester City, who don’t, although you could argue that by sending a man into midfield, Pep Guardiola is flirting with that formation.

And that’s without even mentioning the wingback options, from Bukayo Saka to Kieran Trippier to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

There is no doubt that Switzerland looked better than England at Euro 2024. They beat Italy. They almost beat Germany.

Southgate can assume that we can beat them man-to-man if we adapt our system to counter the Swiss.

It feels like too much of a risk as many of these stars don’t play in that system at club level.

While it is fine to be flexible, I would rather see us impose our own style on Switzerland.

Southgate has taken risks at this European Championship that have not gone entirely to plan, first by bringing on the injured Luke Shaw and then by deploying Alexander-Arnold in midfield.

After 99 games in charge, Southgate may need to get his Saturday line-up right to avoid becoming 100 and out. For me, it’s best to stick with a back four.