There has been some rather intense debates ever since the beginning of the season about whether to allow five substitutions to be made.
Managers including individuals such as Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have been extremely vocal about being able to have the ability to make five changes to their side during each match.
They have used the argument that many of the major leagues in European football have adopted the system because of the abnormality that the 20/21 season started with and can not understand why the Premier League are the only division to revert back to the original and traditional system.
“All the teams have to understand why it’s so helpful. It’s not an advantage, it’s a necessity. 100 per cent,” said Klopp.
“In all other countries it happens and here we make a bit more fun of the competition by having only three subs. That is really incredible, so we have to talk again.”
Guardiola has also said: “All around the world it’s five substitutions, but here we believe we are more special people,
“We don’t protect the players, and that’s why it’s a disaster. In this calendar, especially. I will demand, if the people allow, we have to come back to five substitutions. If not, it’s difficult to sustain it.”
Indeed, there have even been some heated exchanges in the past regarding the topic. Klopp appears to have had some rather public disagreements with Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder over the proposals.
However, they do not appear to be winners as the latest round of voting has seen the proposal be rejected for a third time.
According to a report by The Mirror, the vote was equally split in favour and not in favour of the new ruling, with 10 clubs apiece on either side of the argument.
In addition, a separate vote saw clubs vote to allow nine substitutes to be named on the bench, though. This will then see an additional two men be named on the bench.
Indeed, it is understandable as to why there have been calls for the rule to be introduced.
Players appear to have been picking up many more muscle injuries this season compared to other years, which would suggest that they are not quite fit enough to play in each of the games that take place.
However, there will be questions aimed at Klopp and Guardiola as to why they want five substitutes as they rarely use the three substitutions that are allowed.
For example, the Liverpool manager did not make a single substitution during their 2-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the week, whilst Manchester City have only made a total of three substitutions in their last two games.
