Premier League clubs are set to vote in a meeting on Thursday on whether five substitutions will be permitted during matches next season. A big topic of debate over the past 12 months or so with the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp making their feelings clear on wanting a change to the current rules, and teams are now expected to vote in favour of the switch from the standard three alterations.
The Premier League would then subsequently fall in line with the rest of Europe's major leagues, who currently allow five substitutions. Premier League clubs were allowed to make up to five substitutions following 'Project Restart' in the summer of 2020 when league action resumed after three months away due to the Coronavirus pandemic, although clubs did vote to revert back to three substitutions the following campaign.
Now able to name nine players on the substitutes' bench after an increase from the previous seven, a number of clubs have had to name youthful benches at times over the past year following a number of absences. Antonio Conte's Tottenham have been in this position rather recently with youngsters Brandon Austin, Harvey White, Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett all selected in the squad for the 4-0 win away at Leeds United in February.
