Chelsea face disappointment as clubs vote against game-changing rule for next season

Premier League clubs vote against extending five-substitute rule into 2020-21 season

According to the BBC, Premier League clubs have voted in favour of removing the five substitute rule for the 2020-21 campaign.

The rule was brought into effect following the restart of the Premier League after a three-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clubs can now go back to the former system of making three substitutions, while having no more than seven players on the bench.

The result comes as a blow for Chelsea who had advocated in favour of continuing the five-substitution rule. It permitted the clubs to make five substitutions with nine players available on the bench.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) had extended the new rule into next season, noting that the impact on player welfare is likely to continue next year as well.

However, the Premier League has voted against retaining it in a vote held earlier today. The resolution could only be passed if at least 14 clubs had assented to it.

The Blues were at the forefront of the campaign that got the rule incorporated in the Premier League in the first place. It was then passed with an overwhelming majority of 16-4.

The major reason for disapproval is likely to have come from those teams that lack depth. Some of them include Aston Villa, Burnley, West Ham, and Sheffield United. (h/t The Times)

The news will come as a hammer blow for Frank Lampard. The Chelsea boss was already worried about the effect a lack of rest will have on his players.

The Champions League tie against Bayern Munich will be the club’s 13th match since the restart. The hectic schedule consumed two more casualties when Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta pulled their hamstring at Wembley against Arsenal.

Lampard has held the tight schedule responsible for the setback and was keen on keeping the five-substitute rule. This would have given him the opportunity to not only rotate his squad better but also make in-match tactical decisions with more leeway.

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Unfortunately, the ruling in the vote has gone against us. Now it is up to Lampard and his staff to ensure that the squad is handled in the best possible way in the coming campaign.

Chelsea have so far enjoyed a proactive approach to the transfer market. It remains to be seen if this will have any bearing on the club’s decision to add strength in depth.

Meanwhile, UEFA will also limit changes to three substitutes for next season’s Champions League and Europa League. The EFL is expected to do the same for all three of its divisions. (h/t Daily Mail)