Jose Mourinho has urged Gareth Southgate to adopt a back three against Germany - but to keep faith in Jack Grealish.
England face Germany in their Euro 2020 last 16 showdown, with former Chelsea, Manchester United and Spurs boss Mourinho believing the winner will be heading to the final.
Southgate has chopped and changed his team throughout the group stages but his judgment calls have paid off as they topped Group D without conceding a goal.
Grealish was left out of the starting XI against Croatia and Scotland., but was in fine form in the win over the Czech Republic as he assisted Raheem Sterling's opener.
How should England line-up against Germany ? Comment below
And Mourinho believes the Aston Villa star, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, deserves to keep his place in the side with Mason Mount, who has only just come out of isolation, missing out.
He also wants his former United player Luke Shaw to be given the nod after the full-back hit out at the head coach this week following Mourinho continued criticism of him.
The Portuguese manager also feels England should set up with a back three of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Harry Maguire, with Shaw and Reece James as full-backs.
Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have been tipped to protect the defence as holding midfielders with Grealish supporting Sterling and Harry Kane in attack.
The Roma boss also reckons if the Three Lions can navigate a tricky tie against the Germans, they will reach the final with Denmark, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Sweden left on their side of the draw.
He told TALKsport: “Sweden, Ukraine, Denmark, Czech Republic… Come on, beat Germany and they go to the final."
Southgate has played down talk of revenge after England were beaten by the Germans in a penalty shootout at the semi-final stage of Euro 96.
But Mourinho isn't buying it and feels there is definitely something extra in it after his infamous penalty miss.
He said: “I don't believe that Gareth forgot it.
“I never forgot some important penalty shoot-outs that I lost and I was not a taker. He never forgot it. There is only one way for him to forget it and that is tonight.
“His team to beat Germany and to go, I believe then, to the finals.
“When you look at what we can get after this one, of course good teams, Sweden, Ukraine, Denmark, Czech Republic, but tonight is for me the semi-final.”
Mourinho's predicted England XI vs Germany : Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, James; Phillips, Rice; Grealish, Sterling, Kane.
