Southgate has made a huge call.

England’s starting XI for their Euro 2024 round-of-16 match has been ‘leaked’, with Gareth Southgate making a major change.

On Sunday afternoon England will take on Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen in their Euro 2024 last-16 tie.

England produced three underwhelming performances in the group stage, but still managed to clinch top spot in Group C to secure a place in the favourable side of the knockout draw.

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Fans and pundits have highlighted several problems with England’s set-up, with midfield being the biggest one.

Southgate deployed Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield in England’s first two games, but after the 1-1 draw with Denmark he conceded that his ‘experiment’ hadn’t really worked.

Conor Gallagher was chosen to partner Declan Rice in midfield, but he was hooked at half-time during the goalless draw with Slovenia and replaced by Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo.

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The 19-year-old looked much better than the other two options Southgate has used, and – according to The Mirror – will keep his place in the starting XI against Slovakia.

Southgate has also reportedly decided to stick with Kieran Trippier at left-back, ignoring calls for Luke Shaw to come into the side or for England to adopt a back-three system.

Shaw missed all three of England’s group games after failing to recover from injury, but he is expected to be named as a substitute for the first time this tournament.

Ahead of the match, Southgate defended his team from criticism, saying: “A team is never quite as poor as people might think, and never quite as good as people might think.”

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England’s starting XI vs Slovakia is expected to be: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier; Rice, Mainoo; Foden, Bellingham, Saka; Kane.