The prospect of permanently allowing five substitutions in the Premier League has proven to polarise supporters and figures within football but its backers appear to have won. It has been reported by The Times that the Premier League are set to allow teams to make five substitutions in a game, which could impact Leeds United if they remain in the top flight.
Numerous attempts to introduce the change have failed but it has been claimed that a vote is set to take place at a meeting in London. Vocal supporters of allowing five substitutions include the Professional Footballers Association and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Last season, on an episode of Monday Night Football, pundit Gary Neville opposed the allowing of five substitutions, disagreeing with his colleague Jamie Carragher.Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, he said: "I voted against it in League Two for Salford [City].
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"We voted against the five subs but it came in because overall, the teams wanted it. I don't agree with the five subs, I just don't. I think that for me, it does benefit the bigger teams. The bigger teams have got the bigger squads, they can rotate more and my view is that three subs is more than enough.
"My view is, it only benefits the bigger clubs when they can save players - just rotate more, you've got the bigger squads. That is my view. I don't believe five subs should be introduced because I do want to see a more competitive Premier League.
"Jurgen Klopp wants five subs, he wants the better kick-off times, for Liverpool Football Club, just as my manager [Sir Alex Ferguson], for 20 years, argued and that's why he was seen as somebody who to be fair who was, siege mentality. He wanted the benefit and the advantage for Manchester United, that's all Jurgen Klopp wants now. It's not a criticism."
There is reportedly now enough support for the switch, which would also enable clubs to name nine players on their bench. Currently, the Premier League is the only major division in Europe to only allow three changes but Leeds could soon have the option of introducing five players to the fray per game.
For the Whites, it once again provokes the debate on squad size as director of football Victor Orta recently doubled down on the lean squad policy brought in by Marcelo Bielsa. It remains to be seen whether the change will have an influence on the club's plans and activity in the transfer market, but it will almost certainly thrust the squad size conversation into the stands at Elland Road when Leeds host Southampton on Saturday.
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