Rest Harry Maguire, play Jordan Henderson over Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips – Jose Mourinho suggests

Erstwhile Real Madrid and Chelsea manager – Jose Mourinho has suggested that England’s clash against Ukraine in the quarter-finals of the ongoing EURO 2020 is the perfect chance for Gareth Southgate to rotate his team.

The Three Lions continue their bid to become European champions as they take on Andriy Shevchenko’s side in the round of eight in Rome on Saturday night.

Their sweet triumphant victory against Germany was quite an impressive one but it was also exhausting as well.

And with Ukraine likely to be a less stern test than Germany and any potential semi-final or final match, it could be the opportunity for Southgate to give some squad players a runout.

The former FC Porto manager is by no means calling for a totally different eleven squad but recommended the English coach to make at least ‘three or four changes’.

Harry Maguire is one of those players that could be rested – Mourinho citing the fact that the Manchester United captain’s preparation for Euro 2020 was hampered by his race to recover from an ankle injury along with Phil Foden, Rice and Phillips.

Maguire is carrying a yellow card going into the quarter-final clash, which also played a part in Mourinho’s team selection.

Jose Mourinho would also love to see Jordan Henderson play, suggesting the Liverpool captain would come in for either Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips.

The Portuguese added that Rice and Phillips need to be at peak fitness for the semi-finals and final for England to thrive but wouldn’t rest both of them simultaneously.

On who Southgate should play ahead of England’s encounter with Ukraine, Jose Mourinho said, “I can answer without any pressure. I would say rest them both. You don’t need Rice and Phillips to beat Ukraine. Maximum one of them is needed.

“Jordan Henderson I want to believe is in condition to play. You have other players with fresh conditions and the desire and motivation to play.

“The way Rice finished the game, he was completely exhausted, I believe that the semi-final will be much more difficult than the quarter-final.

“England don’t need to take some of their players to extreme situations of fatigue. A rest for Rice and Phillips would be fantastic, then to play in the semi-finals and final in the maximum of potential.

“But that’s me speaking. I have zero pressure and zero responsibility! If I tried to guess what Gareth will do I would say Jordan Henderson plus one of Rice or Phillips.”

“I would not change the spine of the team – that would be too risky but I would for sure change three of four players because to beat Ukraine you can do it with any of England’s players.

Jose Mourinho concluded by saying Maguire didn’t have a good preparation for the tournament so he believes that this would be the perfect opportunity for him to take a rest.