Andros Townsend says five subs ‘unevens playing field’ as he questions Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp calls for Premier League rule change

Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has dismissed calls from Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp for the Premier League to reintroduce five substitutes.

Guardiola and Klopp united after Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Manchester City and Liverpool to demand a change in the rule which permits them to make only three changes.

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Klopp and Guardiola reignited calls for five substitutes after their sides met on Sunday

Following football’s restart in June from its coronavirus-enforced suspension, the 20 Premier League clubs were temporarily allowed to use an additional two subs per game.

But it has reverted to normal again this term, despite every other major league in Europe – as well as the Champions League and Europa League – continuing to allow five subs.

The City and Liverpool managers claim they are worried for their players’ wellbeing due to such a congested fixture list and should be able to utilise their squads more.

However, Townsend disagrees with the pair as he insists allowing five subs ‘unevens the playing field’ and only benefits the bigger clubs.

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And the Palace ace has questioned why Guardiola and Klopp made just three subs between them at the weekend if they were so concerned for their players.

He told Tuesday’s talkSPORT Breakfast: “I watched that game the other day and obviously Pep and Klopp were speaking at the end of the game.

“You look and Pep made one sub and Klopp made two subs, and one was enforced. You desperately want five subs to protect your players but when it comes to it you don’t even use the three you’ve been given?

“It’s not for me. It unevens the playing field and gives an advantage to the sides with the bigger squads.

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Townsend doesn’t think the current three subs rule should be changed

“They are saying they don’t want it when they are playing each other, but when they are playing the smaller clubs, and maybe it’s harder to break them down, then they want to be able to bring on five world class international forward players to help break down the mid-table sides.

“Not for me. I think it’s fine the way it was. Three subs have worked for many, many years and I don’t see a reason to change it.”

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