Gareth Southgate wants to change Euro 2024 rule and rivals agree with England boss

England boss Gareth Southgate has shared that there has been "talk among the coaches" about expanding the team size for this summer's Euros. He's likely to be a vocal participant in the next meeting between UEFA and all finalist teams, scheduled for April 8 and 9 in Dusseldorf, due to the chaos experienced during the March camp.

England's new standout star, Kobbie Mainoo, shocked everyone with his impressive performances in the friendly games against Brazil and Belgium. However, injuries have wreaked havoc on the team, leading to possible changes in the Euro squad selection.

Currently set to announce a "training squad" for the Euros on May 21st, Southgate had initially planned to name a 23-man squad for the competition, with up to four reserve players to accommodate potential injuries and unresolved games like the FA Cup and Champions League finals. But now, there are serious considerations to change the rules and increase squad sizes to 26 members, which was the practice during the last Euros owing to Covid, and the last World Cup as it was held mid-season.

While Southgate would prefer to keep a compact and harmonious 23-man team, the rash of injuries - expected to intensify towards the end of the football season - might make an extended squad necessary, especially given the fierce competition for spots. England's football team is brimming with talent, and Manchester United's young star Mainoo is the latest to shine. Originally part of the under-21s squad, Mainoo was promoted when Jordan Henderson suffered a muscle strain. Now, he's making the most of his opportunity in training and games.

At just 18, Mainoo could secure a spot in midfield alongside Declan Rice. Trent Alexander-Arnold is another option, but he needs to prove his fitness quickly. He missed an opportunity to show he can also play this role for England. Manager Southgate acknowledges the competition is fierce. That's why he might support larger squads and be patient with injured players like Luke Shaw.

Southgate said: "We've got to make the best decisions with what we know and some of those currently are going to be medical decisions." He added that they've made the right calls in past tournaments, giving players time to recover. But with only 23 players, it's more challenging.

"It's going to be really hard to be really definitive on a 23. There is one more Uefa meeting where there's been a little bit of talk amongst some of the coaches about possibly increasing that." When asked if he'd support this, he said: "Well, given where we are now!

"It's really going to depend on where some of the injuries are and also how many players are in the European finals. But one or two have come through big tests really, really strongly, I think."

One of those players is Mainoo and Southgate admits he's a big fan. "We saw on Saturday that there was that fearlessness to come in and the technical ability to receive, when pressed, to find a pass to manipulate the ball in tight areas," said Southgate.

"We are obviously a little bit more open with him. But it gives us a profile of a player we haven't got. That's hugely exciting. He has the raw attributes of being able to receive under pressure which we haven't had in many midfield players in the time we've been in charge. He can become that sort of a player ultimately."