Well, talk about going one step further.
I knew that something like this was in the pipeline, but I didn’t think they’d quite go to this sort of additional length to make it easier for us, but overall I’m very excited about it.
As I’m sure you’ve heard at this point, the EFL announced yesterday that the Championship has been given a provisional return date of the 20th June for the season to get back underway. I say provisional because there are still a few hurdles that need to be cleared before that, such as safety requirements, which is why testing is still in place, but at least we’re one step closer to getting the season back underway.
However, one of the rules that they are looking to implement when the season comes back, is increasing the match day squads from 18 players to 20. This comes in addition to the notion that clubs will be allowed to make five substitutions during a game rather than the traditional three.
I’ve written before about what an introduction in substitutions could offer the club, especially when it comes to the young prospects at the club who could look to make a breakthrough into the club next season, and Blues boss Pep Clotet has even said that he’s in favour of the idea, saying that ‘provides more possibilities’.
But I wrote them on the assumption that it was still going to be a matchday squad of 18 rather than 20.
Should the club's young players get some game time at the end of this season?
Yes
No
Now though, it looks as if there isn’t going to be any excuse for why the Blues can’t start giving more young players a chance in games, with the congested fixture list we’re likely to get, the senior players are going to need rest, and those young legs could prove the key difference in the final stages of both games and the season.
I’m not saying fill the bench with the U18 side, but I’d be both surprised and annoyed if the club doesn’t at least give them their opportunity.
What about you? Do you think these new rules will give more of a chance to young players?
