England vs Switzerland: Paul Parker urges Southgate to gamble
Ahead of England vs Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 on Saturday (17:00, live on BBC One), former Three Lions defender Paul Parker sat down with Betfred TV and shared his thoughts on what's happened so far in Germany - and what is yet to come.
Gareth Southgate needs to gamble if England are to win a major international tournament for the first time since 1966.
That’s the view of Paul Parker, who featured for England in the 1990 World Cup in Italy under Bobby Robson.
The 60-year-old former full-back, who made his name at Manchester United, reckons Three Lions boss Southgate should “rip up” his plans and “do something different”.
But Parker fears any changes made to the line-up for Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland will be minimal.
He believes Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa will be in for the suspended Marc Guehi and that Chelsea youngster Cole Palmer has done enough to replace Saka on the right wing.
Parker told Betfred TV: “You have to gamble… it cannot get any worse.
“The players are worried about stats. They’re not brave enough to take it on and make mistakes. You want Phil Foden one-on-one and Harry Kane to be up there on the shoulder of the last defender.”
The London-born legend, who picked up 19 caps for his country and also played for Chelsea Fulham and QPR among others at club level, believes Manchester City midfielder Foden is struggling for lack of a natural left-back to support him.
Despite all that, Parker does believe England will beat the Swiss – albeit in extra-time again.
Of the other nations, he’s been most impressed with Spain who are now 4/1 second favourites behind 7/2 England to lift the trophy in Berlin on July 14.
He reckons the much-discussed Cristiano Ronaldo is “stagnating” Portugal, who are 7/1 to repeat their 2016 triumph, and that there’s too much onus on “man in the mask” Kylian Mbappe in regard to France, who are 9/2.
That’s the same price as hosts Germany, who are riding their luck according to Parker and are set to crash out to Spain in Friday’s quarter-final.
He went on: “It’s huge when the hosts go out, but Spain have added something to the tournament. I don’t really want either of them to go out.
Parker likened City’s Rodri, who is starring for Spain, to Reds legend and “Captain Marvel” Bryan Robson.
“Rodri should be favourite for Player of the Tournament, not 10/1. He has the presence of Bryan Robson from when I used to play. When he isn’t on the pitch, it gives the opponent more belief.”
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