Five subs needed
Premier League clubs met on Thursday to decide the latest rule changes for the division. One of the key parts of the meeting was the proposal of introducing five substitutes for Premier League teams for the remainder of the season.
This has been a regular feature of European teams and is available for UEFA Champions League and Europa League competitions but not in the English top-flight. Premier League managers such as Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have been big advocates of the change after a string of injuries – specifically for the red half of Merseyside.
Jurgen Klopp has seen Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Joel Matip, to name a few, face significant fitness issues throughout the season and and has been very vocal in his retort to the typical 3 substitutes rule.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT )Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool collides with Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on October 17, 2020 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“All the teams have to understand why it’s so helpful. It’s not an advantage, it’s a necessity. 100 per cent,” said Klopp.
“In all other countries it happens and here we make a bit more fun of the competition by having only three subs. That is really incredible, so we have to talk again.”
The argument against Klopp and Guardiola’s stance is that the smaller clubs would be at a disadvantage to the likes of City and Liverpool who have significantly superior benches regarding player quality.
The ability to change half your outfield squad could render plenty of lower half sides lacking in significant competitiveness when facing the bigger teams.
The answer is no
Considering the disadvantage, it is unsurprising that at the Premier League meeting on Thursday the clubs decided to vote against the idea of introducing five substitutes to the game.
Five subs rejected for THIRD time. But PL clubs can have NINE on the bench:https://t.co/o629Vs4S6v
— Martin Lipton (@MartinLipton) December 17, 2020
The vote was split equally with 10 sides opting against and 10 sides opting in favour. However, the Premier League needs a split of 14 to 6 for the motion to be carried. Therefore, until the next opportunity, teams will only be able to use the typical 3 subs.
However, there was a change to the rules regarding substitutes with the typical 7 players allowed on the bench increased to 9. With two extra players available for managers to choose from, there is the opportunity to see more young players from some of the bigger sides.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is substituted after receiving medical treatment during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on November 22, 2020 in Leeds, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Speaking specifically about Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has been as of yet reluctant to use some of his younger players like Folarin Balogun, Emile Smith Rowe and William Saliba. So far, of the trio, only Smith-Rowe has made the bench. But with this increase, there could be a greater opportunity for the players to get picked for the squad.
Going into the festive period, games will be approaching thick and fast for plenty of England’s top sides and therefore the introduction of the two extra substitutions may come as a welcome addition to what is typically a very hectic time.
