Nuno Espirito Santo is adamant the Premier League must stick with three substitutes amid growing calls for the reintroduction of five. The Wolverhampton Wanderers boss has been outspoken in his belief that three in-game changes is appropriate now that the players are up to speed physically. Premier League bosses were allowed to make five substitutions during the final nine matches of last season following the lockdown period, though Nuno rarely chose to use that many. West Ham boss David Moyes was initially in favour of the return to three substitutes but he’s now had a change of heart and is calling on the Premier League to give managers an additional two.
David Moyes said “I recommended that we would vote for three substitutes but I have looked at it again due to the player welfare issue, I really didn’t expect so many injuries. No parties have been willing to give anything up in terms of competitions or matches. So, while I still think it benefits bigger squads and clubs with bigger budgets, I would consider the change back.”
Nuno respectfully disagrees with the West Ham boss and believes the Premier League should stick to the rules it set out at the start of 2020/21.
Nuno Espirito Santo said “No, I think football should have three substitutes, The only thing that made the rule change was because of the pandemic, so I don’t see why. I don’t agree. I prefer three. Five happened because of the pandemic and the lack of preparations of the players, being three months in lockdown and not getting the fitness required. Now the player has the fitness level to endure 90,95 minutes in a game, three substitutes is what makes sense. If others think differently, I respect that, but don’t ask for five substitutes, make your decisions before and rotate the players before.”
