Why England leaks ‘will always come out’ – but there’s one way of stopping it

Peter Crouch has revealed that England team leaks at Euro 2024 are inevitable when there's so much focus around their squad. Gareth Southgate was left frustrated when his plans to change formation and switch to a three-man defence were leaked prior to the quarter-final against Switzerland.

The stakes are even higher when the Three Lions face the Netherlands on Wednesday, with the winner of that clash set to meet Spain in the final. However, it's Crouch's belief that trying to stop leaks from inside the camp is a futile effort.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham attacker discussed the subject on That Peter Crouch Podcast (via The Mirror), suggesting there are too many variables to halt information getting out altogether.

"It's happened since the start of time," said the ex-England striker, who scored 22 goals in 42 outings for his country. "It will always come out. You've got to remember how many people from the press, how many TV outlets, how many newspapers and radio people there are around the camp every single day.

"You know, agents, families - unfortunately it will [get out]. I don't see how that changes unless Gareth keeps the players guessing. Because they are [gonna tell].

"If I'm not starting on the weekend, I'm gonna tell my dad, 'I'm not playing,'" he said. "Or 'I am playing, get ready for this,' y'know? You can't help it. Then my dad tells his best mate, and things happen."

That being said, there is one tactic Southgate could deploy in order to guarantee the public - but more importantly, the opposition - were kept guessing. And that was to take a page from the book of one of Crouch's old managers and leave even his own players in the dark.

Asked by host Chris Stark about withholding team selections from the squad itself, Crouch added: "Rafa [Benitez] used to do that all the time. We wouldn't have a clue what the team would be sometimes until it was announced on the Saturday. You'd play a certain shape, but the personnel you wouldn't know."

The Three Lions will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their quarter-final chaos ahead of their showdown with the Dutch in Dortmund. Southgate's side overcame the leak to beat Switzerland on penalties in the last round, but they'd prefer the Netherlands know as little about their tactics as possible.

It has already been made clear what Southgate plans to do tonight, with the previously suspended Marc Guehi expected to come back into the defence to replace Ezri Konsa, who filled his spot against Switzerland. Luke Shaw made his first appearance of the tournament from off the bench last time out, meanwhile, but Kieran Trippier looks likely to keep his spot on the left side of defence.