By Martin Graham
Europe’s most prominent football teams, including several from England’s top flight, have held behind-the-scenes discussions about introducing six substitutions per game.
The subject came up during the European Football Clubs (EFC) general assembly in Rome, where officials and representatives addressed various concerns in the sport. Although it was not part of the official agenda, clubs privately floated the possibility of allowing 28-player squads instead of the current 25, alongside the proposed substitution increase.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest were among the Premier League sides present. Any adjustments to the rules would require a recommendation from the International Football Association Board (IFAB), and no timeline has been set for potential changes.
Previous changes paved the way for debate
The Premier League first brought in five substitutions in May 2020, shortly before the competition resumed during the coronavirus shutdown. The following campaign reverted to three changes, but the five-substitute regulation returned permanently in 2022-23 after a vote among clubs.
An additional replacement is permitted for players with suspected head injuries, which currently allows managers to make six changes only in those specific situations.
Increased squad size seen as response to player fatigue
Some club officials believe expanding matchday groups by three could help ease the physical toll on players, particularly after growing concerns about fixture congestion and travel demands.
Archie Gray’s experience last season has been used as an example. The Tottenham defender featured in 80 matchday squads across competitions for club and country, matching Real Madrid’s Arda Güler for the most appearances in Europe. The 19-year-old played 48 times, helping Spurs lift the Europa League and contributing to England Under-21s’ European Championship triumph.
However, sources close to the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) have questioned whether larger squads would truly ease pressures. They argue that players would still need to travel, train, and prepare mentally, even if they are unused substitutes.
Studies launched to examine workload and injuries
In June, UEFA, the EFC, FIFPro Europe, and European Leagues began a study to analyze different types of injuries, performance levels, and well-being among footballers.
FIFPro’s latest annual report highlighted how extensive travel and match preparations add to players’ working commitments, even when they do not step on the pitch. “These occasions are also part of the player’s working time commitments,” the report noted.
The EFC, which represents more than 800 clubs from 55 nations, includes heavyweights such as Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, and Barcelona.
Five substitutes led to more goals from the bench
The introduction of the five-substitute rule has significantly influenced scoring trends in the Premier League. Substitute goals accounted for 4.7% of total strikes in 1992-93, rising gradually over the years.
By 2021-22, that figure stood at 9.8%, then jumped to 12.7% when managers were permitted two extra changes. The upward trajectory has continued, with substitute contributions reaching a record 16.1% this season.
Between 1995-96 and 2018-19, substitutes scored an average of 96 times per campaign. In the three complete seasons under the five-substitute system, that number has risen to 146 goals per season, with further growth expected this year.
Limited effect on decisive goals and substitution patterns
While substitute goals have increased overall, their impact on match outcomes has not shifted dramatically. The highest number of winning goals scored by substitutes came in 2023-24, with 36 decisive strikes.
Despite the expanded allowance, teams are not always making full use of their options. Since the change, clubs have used all five substitutions in 43% of matches. By contrast, before the 2020 Covid-19 suspension, sides used their full three changes in 59% of fixtures.
