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The Professional Footballers Association has endorsed calls by Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola for the Premier League to reintroduce five substitutions, instead of the usual three.
The ripple effect of the coronavirus pandemic has seen a more congested match roster, with some managers insisting that it is having an impact on the well-being of players.
A rule change this season is possible, if a team submits a proposal. However, he would need the support of at least 14 clubs and has already been rejected twice, so it seems highly unlikely.
Manchester City are betting on a switch but have only used an average of two substitutes per game this season. West Brom, Tottenham, Wolves, Arsenal and Newcastle have used all three.
After Trent Alexander-Arnold walked away with a calf injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at the Etihad, Liverpool manager Klopp said: “Every team has to understand why it’s so useful. No it is an advantage, it is a necessity, 100%.
“In all other countries it happens and here we have a little more fun from the competition by having only three substitutes. That’s really incredible, so we have to talk again.”
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a suspected calf injury in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City.
In fact, across the major leagues in Europe and in Major League Soccer in the United States, teams have voted to adopt the five-substitute rule this season.
However, it would certainly favor the bigger clubs. While West Ham boss David Moyes has embraced the idea, other sides are sticking with it.
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A senior official of a senior club said Sky Sports News: “Our position has not changed. Purely and simply, the bigger the club, the greater the advantage if you have five substitutes.
“Not all clubs have a huge squad with the depth of talent that some clubs enjoy and five substitutes will just make life more difficult for the smaller clubs.”
The PFA has confirmed that it continues to support clubs using five alternates.
“We told the Premier League that we would support such a move for health and safety reasons for our members before the first vote and our position has not changed,” a statement from the PFA reads.
The rule has clearly divided opinion, but in terms of restoring integrity and honoring the two votes that have already taken place, it seems unlikely that we will see any change before the season ends.
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Klopp: “In my opinion, it’s a lack of leadership”
Klopp believes the Football Association should take action on the substitute rule, or risk more international players being dismissed due to injury.
“In my opinion, it is a lack of leadership,” Klopp added. “It’s the only major league where you only have three substitutes. Surprise.
“The FA has to be involved. Tonight we lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. I’m pretty sure Gareth Southgate is not well. [with that]. If we continue like this and hopefully we can play the European Championship in the summer … if they pass, let’s see who will be part of it. “
Guardiola: “We don’t protect the players and that’s why it’s a disaster”
Guardiola says he fully agrees with Klopp that the limit must be increased: “In the whole world there are five substitutions, but here we believe that we are more special people,” Guardiola said.
“We don’t protect the players, and that’s why it’s a disaster. On this schedule, especially. I’ll demand, if people allow it, we have to go back to five substitutions. If not, it’s difficult to sustain.
Moyes: I’ve changed my mind in five subs
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Moyes had previously been in favor of using only three substitutes, but admits that he would now prefer the option of being able to have up to five substitutes.
“I recommended to our board that we would vote for three substitutes and no more. I have to say my mind has changed now it is for the welfare of the players,” said Moyes, speaking after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Fulham.
“I don’t think I was expecting so many injuries. So many games in such a short time, whether you are an international or a Champions League or a Europa League, has made the program so congested.
“There have been no matches willing to give up any match, be it the Carabao Cup or any other cup competition. No one has been willing to give up anything.
“That’s why I would now consider the change if I were there, that we could have more subs.”
Keane: Very difficult for Man City to win the league
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Roy Keane believes Manchester City lacks the firepower they need to win the Premier League this season, after their 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
Guardiola’s team came in a distant second behind the Reds last season and in eight games in the 2020/21 campaign they are already five points behind Liverpool, ranking 11th in the table, six behind leaders Leicester City. .
Interestingly, Manchester City have scored 17 fewer goals than at the same stage last season, and Keane believes that with Sergio Agüero battling injuries, they can’t make their dominance count in matches, criticizing them for not investing in a striker in the summer.
“I know there were other positions they wanted to fill, a central midfielder I guess was a priority. They have no one but themselves to blame for not having forwards. You have to have strength in depth, especially if you are expected to. compete for all the important trophies. I don’t see City winning the league this year. “
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