MOT View: FIFA rule change could see Bielsa utilise Leeds U23s more upon return
FIFA are considering a rule change to allow five substitutes in each game according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, something which could really benefit Leeds United.
The newspaper claim on their website that these substitutions would be allowed to be made during a maximum of three slots plus during the half-time break in a bid to avoid unnecessary stoppages.
Marcelo Bielsa isn’t one to utilise his bench much in Championship games and always has full trust in his starting squad to pull off a result.
One player that has shined off the bench this season is Ezgjan Alioski, another Eddie Nketiah but he is no longer at the club.
Carlos Corberan’s under-23s have been given spots on the bench numerous times and with more subs potentially permitted, they could be utilised even more.
With the EFL confirming that they want to conclude the season as quickly as possible, Leeds may be made to finish their nine games in the space of a month – meaning multiple games per week.
Even with the impressive fitness levels that Bielsa has built-in his squad, there may be more rotation needed within the Whites side when football returns.
Younger players such as Ian Poveda, Alfie McCalmont, Jamie Shackleton could be set for extended roles in the first team and players who haven’t been there before such as Bryce Hosannah could be set for their debuts.
Looking at the bench in games such as the 2-0 win against Huddersfield, players such as Elia Caprile, Pascal Struijk and Oliver Casey were all there meaning with two more subs available they could be utilised much more.
There could also be more spots made available as a default, with only seven permitted as we stand – that would give much more chance to the rest of the under-23s who we can expect to see sooner rather than later.
In other Leeds United news, Steve Evans shares controversial thought on expunging results despite ‘love’ for Leeds