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Managers like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been outspoken in their belief that the rule must be changed
Sheffield United head coach Chris Wilder attacked the “selfish” managers of the big clubs who are pushing hard for the Premier League to allow five substitutions per game this season.
Unlike other leagues in Europe, the Premier League has not continued to allow five substitutions per game this season as they did after the coronavirus-imposed hiatus last season.
Allowing five changes per game is considered to favor bigger clubs with deeper benches and as such a motion in September failed to get the required 14 club votes and the English top flight again had three substitutions allowed per game.
With a condensed schedule this season leading to increased injury concerns, managers such as Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Man City’s Pep Guardiola, among others, have expressed their belief that five substitutes are needed per game.
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But Wilder has responded to those claims, saying clubs like the Blades, who are currently at the bottom of the table, would be adversely affected by allowing five changes per game.
“Cards on the table, he will take care of his own club,” Wilder said of Klopp.
“I have incredible respect for these top managers because they produce the best results and win things.
“But they are selfish, they take care of their own clubs. They will not bother about Sheffield United, England will not bother them.
“They are going to be upset with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, which I understand and respect. I would be the same, but I am concerned about Sheffield United and having five substitutes does not help us.
“I don’t think the common man is overly sympathetic to the mental aspect of players who make £ 250,000 a week and don’t make an 18-man team. That’s shit as far as I’m concerned.
“My sympathy for them is not huge. If Man City plays on a Wednesday night in Outer Mongolia and then has to play at 12:30 on a Saturday, he has to play at 12:30 on a Saturday!
“If that helps us, we will gladly accept it because this is the competitive aspect of football.
“Come on! Are any of the Man City fans bummed that Virgil van Dijk is injured? Are they any Chelsea or Manchester United fans? Are they disappointed that Virgil van Dijk is out for too long?
“They are not because they only take care of their own club and I only take care of my own club.”
