How England should line up vs Slovakia in Euro 2024 last-16 clash: Put Bukayo Saka at left-back, unleash Cole Palmer & Anthony Gordon - but give Phil Foden a rest!

The goalkeeper has had a pretty quiet tournament, facing just one shot on target each against Serbia and Slovenia. He was kept busier against Denmark but could hardly be blamed for Marton Hjulmand's sizzling equaliser. He comfortably keeps his place for the first knockout game.

Walker has continued his club form into the Euros with three fine displays, helping England score both of their goals while expertly marshalling the defence. Despite the strong options England have at right-back, he is still the top choice.

Stones has reverted to his former role of being a centre-back first and foremost, with conservative positioning and no marauding runs forward. But that is what is being asked of him by Southgate and there is no reason to take him out of the team at this stage.

The Crystal Palace defender has been arguably England's most consistent performer in Germany, taking the baton from the highly experienced Harry Maguire and carrying it even better. He keeps demonstrating calmness and courage on the ball while also anticipating danger, taking rapid action to get on top of it.

This is an unorthodox move but one that makes sense given the circumstances, with Luke Shaw still not fit enough to start despite getting closer to returning to fitness. England's shy presence down the left-hand side has made them too predictable and playing the left-footed Saka, who has experience playing at left-back early in his career, is a fascinating solution.

England could just about get away with it against Slovakia as Juraj Kucka and Ivan Schranz are not the most potent wingers and right-back Peter Pekarik is 37 years old. And it would allow Southgate to unleash Cole Palmer in his preferred position on the right flank.

Rice has struggled to replicate his excellent form for Arsenal in Germany but he had a better understanding with Kobbie Mainoo in the second half against Slovenia and helped drive England forward. He must improve but he is still the best man for the job.

The Manchester United teenager's sensational performances should have earned him at least one start in the tournament but he helped England improve when he came on at half-time against Slovenia. And as Southgate seems to have given up on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Gallagher already, Mainoo is the obvious choice from now on.

Bellingham's drop-off from his explosive performance against Serbia has been alarming although it has coincided with an uptick in performances from Phil Foden, underlining the problem in trying to fit the two playmakers together.

Foden has already returned to the England camp after flying home for the birth of his third child but after missing two days of training Southgate has a legitimate reason to leave him out of the starting XI and see how Bellingham copes on his own. Foden also deserves some rest after the emotional rollercoaster of becoming a father for the third time.

The Chelsea forward injected some much-needed guile and creativity into the team when he came on against Slovenia and his chutzpah is exactly what the team need to lift their confidence. Palmer could play across the forward line but after being snubbed for the first three games he deserves to be unleashed in his favoured role.

Kane has received the most criticism of all the England players and has lacked mobility, an effect of the back injury he sustained towards the end of the season. But there is no other player you would want the ball to drop to in the box than him and these changes should lead to England getting the ball to him where he is most deadly.

Like Palmer, Gordon has been criminally underused at the tournament after the season he had for Newcastle, especially as he is a traditional left winger and England have badly lacked balance on that side. He only got one minute of action plus stoppage time against Slovenia but played a part in creating the team's best chance. He deserves an opportunity to show what he can do from the start.