Chris Sutton has stated on The Monday Night Club that he ‘doesn’t believe’ the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in their plea to implement five substitutes once again.
The striker stated that comments from the likes of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp look ‘foolish’ because those calling for five subs don’t practise what they preach and the fact that they don’t use all three of their current substitutes is a prime example of that.
During Manchester City’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool, Guardiola only made one sub, whilst Klopp made two, and one of them was forced.
Outspoke TV and Radio pundit Sutton raised that point when arguing against the idea of bringing back five substitutes.
“They have 25 man squads and they have to rotate the squads,” said Sutton. “The fact of the matter is that they have the money to bring in the best players, so they cannot moan and smaller clubs cannot bring in the best player. That’s where the big boys have the advantage.
“This is pretty simple and logic isn’t it?! These clubs have the facilities and ability to buy the best players, so they will have to rotate.
“For argument’s sake, look at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp always wants to play Mo Salah. More often than not he tries to play the same players. They still have a strong bench. But they have the opportunity to spend and attract better players.
“The worst thing in all is they want this rule implemented about the five subs and they don’t even practise what they preach. It doesn’t stack up. If you feel that strongly about it and you are that adamant about it then don’t put one or two subs on at the weekend. Make your point of putting three subs and then we might sit up and say ‘we really believe you’. I don’t believe them at all. It just sounds spoilt, doesn’t it?! – it looks foolish.”
It will be interesting to see how this one pans out because if clubs in England’s top-flight continue to have issues with this matter then it may just go to a vote again.
At the end of the day, the situation your club finds itself in also plays a part because if those teams who want to it remain as three subs start picking up muscle injuries then their tune might change.
Either way, with the top teams in the country voicing their disapproval at the current injury situation because of the fixture pile-up, which will only get worse during these coming months, and lack of pre-season then it wouldn’t be a surprise if something is changed sooner rather than later.
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