DBasia.news – The pressure for the Premier League to return to the five substitutions rule is back again. It was Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp’s turn to continue the rule.
Guardiola and Klopp agreed to increase the number of substitutions to five people that the Premier League must immediately implement. This is to keep players safe from the threat of injury.
The Premier League actually had time to implement this regulation when the competition rolled back in during the pandemic. However, three substitutions were made before the 2020-2021 season rolled around.
Even though FIFA and UEFA have recommended that the regulations for the replacement of five players continue. This is according to the recommendation of the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
“It’s about protecting all the Premier League players. The statistics speak for themselves, almost 50 percent more muscle injuries than last season,” said Guardiola as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“The players are playing and recovering from previous matches but maybe not from the previous season. The association of managers or football players (PFA) has to decide whether three or five substitutions.”
Premier League operators have strong reasons for not continuing the five-player substitution regulation. This is because the majority of clubs reject it.
Small clubs feel that this regulation benefits big clubs that have an even squad. The condition they consider will further increase the difference in the quality of the big teams which automatically reduces the tight competition.
Klopp did not hesitate to insinuate the attitude of the clubs who rejected the five substitutions regulation. The Liverpool manager thinks these people do not think about the safety of the players.
“I think change is not possible because of the system. Nothing helps when Chelsea, City, Liverpool, United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Leicester have injuries,” said Klopp.
“None of the top seven clubs are asking for any profit. We know our schedule and it will be very difficult.”
Previously, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had submitted a similar demand. The Manchester United manager feels a very busy schedule like the current one will endanger players if they are not given a break.