John Stones breaks silence on Gareth Southgate’s plan to switch to a three-man defence for crucial Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Switzerland

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John Stones says England will have no problem switching to a three-man defence with Gareth Southgate trialling the change for tomorrow’s quarter-final against Switzerland.

It was at the last European Championship three years ago that Southgate opted for a three-man defence for the 2-0 win over Germany in the round of 16. He used it again in the final against Italy.

England have so far played in a 4-2-3-1 formation here in Germany but, due to poor performances and the suspension of centre-back Marc Guehi, a change has been implemented in training this week.

If that is the case, Stones would be the centre-back tasked with organising the new unit, and he believes that would not be as big a risk as some think.

“We’ve done it in previous tournaments,” he said. “I remember it with Germany, in the last Euro. Before that, in 2018 (at the World Cup).

“I think it’s a good thing to have him in the dressing room, if we’re going to play this system. It’s something that shouldn’t be underestimated for us as a team, that we can do it so easily and fluidly, and we can kind of get along.

“We have one more training session before the game, and hopefully we can refine a few things we’ve been working on in the last few days and see where it takes us.”