Alan Shearer calls for two England changes vs Switzerland and names Marc Guehi replacement

Shearer wants to see Gordon come into the side (Picture: The Rest is Football)

Alan Shearer has urged Gareth Southgate to start Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon after England edged through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2024.

Facing the prospect of a humiliating last 16 exit against Slovakia on Sunday, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane spared England’s blushes to set up a last eight showdown with Switzerland on Sunday evening.

Kobbie Mainoo was handed a starting role with Palmer called upon on the second-half having also impressed off the bench in the final group game against Slovenia.

Southgate’s substitutions, or lack of, have been a talking point among fans and pundits throughout the competition with Ivan Toney, Conor Gallagher and Ezri Konsa all entering the fray late on.

With a sterner test against the Swiss looming on Saturday, former England striker Shearer is keen to see Mainoo keep his place in the side, believing Palmer has done more than enough to secure himself a starting berth.

Gordon meanwhile was an unused substitute on Sunday – left with a nasty cut on his chin after crashing off his bike in the England camp earlier in the week – with Shearer eager to see the Newcastle United star come in.

Asked what changes he would make, Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast: ‘I would keep Palmer in I would bring Gordon in. I would keep Mainoo in because he’s done enough.’

Gordon was an unused substitute on Sunday (Picture: AMA/2024 AMA Sports Photo Agency)

England have another issue to address with Marc Guehi suspended for the Switzerland game after picking up a booking inside three minutes against Slovakia.

Southgate has more orthodox options of Joe Gomez and Lewis Dunk to call upon but Shearer believes Aston Villa right-back Konsa will get the nod.

‘I would go with Konsa,’ Shearer continued. ‘He is the one who has been involved a little bit more so I would bring him in.’

Shearer also pondered the possible inclusion of Luke Shaw. The Manchester United left-back has not played any football since February and despite Southgate being hopeful he could have a role to play off the bench yesterday, he was again among the unused substitutes.

‘Left-back, that’s another problem,’ Gary Lineker said. ‘He [Shaw] won’t be able to play, he didn’t even come on for a few minutes again., he can’t start, he hasn’t played for months.

‘So it again comes down to that decision not to bring another back up left-back. We saw Saka play there for a bit so it is possible. It would be a bit odd but he can play there.’