Reports have suggested that the Premier League will introduce the ruling that will allow teams to make five substitutes at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign. The member clubs of the English top flight are expected to vote in favour of the rule despite previously voting against it.
The Times have reported the likely change and it is one that has often divided opinion with many believing the introduction of another two subs benefits the so-called ‘bigger clubs’ who have larger squads. Newcastle United previously voted against the change but their current, and ongoing, stance on the matter may well have changed.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been two of the managers who have, unsurprisingly, spoken in support of the ruling which is in place in each of Europe’s other major leagues. Speaking on Monday Night Football back in the 2019/20 Covid-19-affected season, Gary Neville spoke of his opposition against the change: “I voted against five subs in League Two for Salford, that only came in because, overall, the teams wanted it.
Read more: Premier League to introduce substitution rule Newcastle United previously voted against
“I don’t agree with the five subs, for me, I think it does benefit the bigger teams. The bigger teams have got the bigger squads, they can rotate more and my view is that three subs is more than enough.
“My view is that it only benefits the bigger clubs when they can save players. Just rotate more, they’ve got the biggest squads. I don’t believe five subs should be introduced because I do want to see a more competitive Premier League.”
The initial defence of introducing the use of five subs was that it protected the players who, especially at the back end of the 2019/20 campaign, were being forced to play a lot of football in a short space of time. While the volume of games has still been extreme for most teams this term, it is easy to see why the smaller teams are against the concept.
When it was being discussed, there were no surprises that the Magpies, who were operating with a wafer-thin squad at the time, voted against the idea of five subs. Although, with the very real possibility of having a significantly stronger squad at the start of next season, the prospect of more subs might have become more appealing to those in charge at St James’ Park. The decision will be discussed at this Thursday’s Premier League stakeholder meeting.
