England have explored a three-at-the-back system ahead of Saturday’s crunch Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.

It remains to be seen if Gareth Southgate is willing to switch from the 4-2-3-1 system that he has deployed during his team’s four matches here in Germany – but the fact the team have practised with a three centre back formation indicates the potential for a change in approach.

England finished out the last-16 win over Slovakia last weekend by moving to a 3-5-2 system during extra-time.

And Southgate looked at a similar approach in training at their Weimar base on Wednesday.

Time will tell whether Southgate will enforce a formation change from the start of this weekend’s clash versus the Swiss, but the team are preparing for a switch either at the beginning or during the quarter final.

England are exploring a three-at-the-back system ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final

John Stones and Marc Guehi have played as a central defensive partnership in Germany

If England do set up with three centre-backs it is likely that John Stones, Kyle Walker and Ezri Konsa will make up the trio with Marc Guehi suspended.

Switzerland use a three central defender system and matching up Murat Yakin’s team maybe a a motivation behind a change of approach.

The use of a back-three was once Southgate’s favoured formation, the system providing the platform for England’s fourth place finish at World Cup 2018.

He also switched between a back-three and back-four at Euro 2020.

Back at the 2018 World Cup, 3-5-2 provided the platform for England’s fourth place finish

The tactical change could see Trent Alexander-Arnold come into the team at right wing back

Sources insist Southgate could still opt to use the 4-2-3-1 system he has relied on so far during the tournament, with today’s decision to explore a back-three potentially a tactic to use during the game if they are struggling to break the Swiss down.

But a possible tactical switch is an intriguing development ahead of this Saturday’s clash.