Revealed: How Gareth Southgate 'is planning on using his substitutes' at Euro 2024 after 'profiling how his England players react to being taken off or named on the bench'

  • Southgate is reportedly expecting to utilise his impressive squad depth at Euros
  • He has used a number of players in different positions in recent England games
  • Click here to follow Mail Sport's Euro 2024 WhatsApp Channel for all the latest breaking news and updates from Germany 

An insight into how Gareth Southgate is planning on using his substitutes at Euros 2024 has been revealed, according to a report.

The England manager has named his 26-man squad for the tournament in Germany, which kicks off on Friday with England's first game against Serbia on Sunday evening.

The squad numbers were raised from 23 to 26 prior to the competition getting underway, giving managers plenty of options from the bench during games throughout.


Five substitutes will be allowed during games, meaning at least seven players will remain unused in each fixture per team.

According to The Telegraph, Southgate has been profiling how England players react to being substituted or being named on the bench, which will help him make his decisions.

A potential insight into how Gareth Southgate (right) is planning on using his substitutes at Euro 2024 has emerged

A potential insight into how Gareth Southgate (right) is planning on using his substitutes at Euro 2024 has emerged

The England manager has confirmed his 26-man squad ahead of the tournament in Germany

The England manager has confirmed his 26-man squad ahead of the tournament in Germany

He is reportedly keen to use all five permitted changes throughout all of England's games

He is reportedly keen to use all five permitted changes throughout all of England's games

Reports suggest that the Three Lions boss intends to use his five replacements every game England play, using his impressive squad depth to his benefit throughout.

Players will therefore rarely play for 90 minutes, leading to interest from Southgate and his assistant, Steve Holland, of how players react to being asked to leave the field during games.

The profile adds to the reported tactical and technical report the management team have built of each member of their squad.

It is suggested that it extends to how players respond to being asked to play in a different position to what they may usually play.

England have used a number of players in different areas of the pitch over the last few games as they completed their final preparations before the tournament, including the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ezri Konsa, and Joe Gomez.

Southgate is said to be excited by the options available to him in his squad, and used the maximum number of substitutes allowed, six, against both Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland.

He is reported expected to reinstate to players that they must not necessarily expect to finish the game if they start it.

Reports suggest Southgate believes he has a stronger squad at his disposal this time around than he had at the World Cup in 2022, where he only used his full quota of changes in three of the five games his side played.

The Three Lions boss is said to have profiled how players have reacted to being substituted

The Three Lions boss is said to have profiled how players have reacted to being substituted

Trent Alexander-Arnold's squad number for the tournament may have given as hint of his role

Trent Alexander-Arnold's squad number for the tournament may have given as hint of his role

England revealed their squad numbers for the tournament on Saturday morning, with their major stars earning smaller numbers, such as Harry Kane picking up nine and Jude Bellingham 10.

The biggest number of note was that of Alexander-Arnold, who has been awarded No 8, potentially a hint as to who Southgate will select as his first-choice midfield partner for Declan Rice.

Elsewhere, Marc Guehi will wear six, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden 11.