Southgate Urges Uefa for Euro 2024 Rule Modification following England Injury Setback
Gareth Southgate, the manager of the England national team, is calling on Uefa to modify the rules for Euro 2024 by allowing an increase in squad size. Southgate has revealed that he would like to see the squads for the tournament in Germany expanded from the planned 23 players to 26. This proposal will be discussed at a Uefa workshop in Dusseldorf on April 8 and 9, where all 24 national team managers competing at Euro 2024 will be in attendance.
The main reason for Southgate’s plea is the recent injury setbacks suffered by several key players during the international window. Harry Maguire, John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Sam Johnstone were all sidelined with injuries, which had a significant impact on England’s performances in their matches against Brazil and Belgium. Southgate believes that a larger squad could help mitigate the effects of such injuries and provide more options for selection.
If Uefa were to approve the increase in squad size, it would be a significant boost for players on the fringes of the England squad. Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, and James Maddison are all currently vying for a place in the team, and a larger squad would increase their chances of being included. Additionally, there is speculation that teenage sensation Kobbie Mainoo could make the squad if the squad size is expanded.
When asked about the potential increase in squad size, Southgate expressed his support, saying, “There is one more Uefa meeting where there’s been a little bit of talk amongst some of the coaches about possibly increasing the number.” He acknowledged the challenges of making decisions with a smaller squad and emphasized the importance of giving players enough time to recover from injuries.
It is worth noting that Euro 2020 and the upcoming World Cup in 2022 both featured squads of 26 players due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Uefa decided to revert to the usual 23-player squads for this summer’s tournament. If the managers at Euro 2024 want to increase the squad size, they will have to convince Uefa to reconsider their decision.
Southgate, who has previously stated his preference for smaller squads, is expected to announce a “training” squad of up to 30 players on May 21. This will give him more flexibility in selecting the final squad of 26 players. However, some players may have limited rest time after the end of the Premier League season, as they could be involved in European finals. The Champions League final, which is set to take place at Wembley on June 1, could potentially affect the availability of certain players for England’s warm-up matches.
England’s first Euro 2024 match is against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, and the Football Association must confirm the official squad by June 8. The additional three spots in the squad, if granted, could prove crucial in providing Southgate with more options and depth in his team as they aim to compete for the European title.
In conclusion, Gareth Southgate’s request for an increase in squad size for Euro 2024 reflects the challenges faced by national team managers in dealing with injuries and player availability. The potential expansion from 23 to 26 players would offer more opportunities for fringe players and provide greater flexibility in squad selection. However, it remains to be seen whether Uefa will grant this request, as it would require a significant policy change. As England prepares for the tournament, Southgate will need to carefully manage player fitness and consider the implications of the Champions League final on squad availability.