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IN his latest argument over player welfare, Pep Guardiola has agreed with Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp, that Premier League clubs should be allowed to make five substitutions.
Speaking to the press after his side’s 6-1 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, the Manchester City manager was fielding questions about what would be best for the English game.
Although Jurgen has long been an advocate for increasing the number of Premier League substitutions – as he explained during Liverpool’s hectic schedule last season – the motion to increase the number of times coaches could utilise their bench was rejected last term.
“I’m not here to change anything of this country," Pep started out by saying. “When we have all around the world five substitutions, we still have three. And in this calendar, I’m sorry guys, this is ridiculous – that’s why there are many injuries.
“‘Well, why’, because we cannot make five substitutions. When all around the world, they pay attention to their players, to be healthy, to use them better.
“No, here three. Every three days, game, every three days, game. We have no preparation. We have no pre-season, [we don’t have] anything. Just three substitutions, when everybody else has five.
“Maybe one day, the big bosses, the big clever guys, will explain to me why.”
Out of Europe’s top five leagues, the Premier League remains the only one not adhering to the five-substitution rule, which was temporarily introduced during Project Restart.
Much to both Liverpool and Manchester City’s frustration, a third proposal was turned down by the clubs, midway through last season.
"We need help from outside. I'm not talking about us as Liverpool, but we have to make changes with the subs again. We have to talk about the fixture list, and those kinds of things,” Jurgen said in November 2020.
"Our hands, from a specific point, are tied. At Christmas, we will probably play again twice in 48 hours and people will say I'm talking about it again and, while from a physical point of view, it is possible [to play those games], it is really dangerous.
“Now, hopefully, those making the decisions, can make the next steps." – Agencies, September 23, 2021