Chelsea 'leading push' to keep five substitutes rule next season
Chelsea are leading a late push to encourage Premier League sides to keep the five substitutes rule next season, according to The Times.
Clubs were allowed two further changes on top of the traditional three-per-game as part of measures rolled out to help ease the burden on players during the hectic Project Restart schedule.
Under the new rules, up to nine players could be named on the substitutes bench but any changes had to be made on a maximum of three occasions.
Football lawmakers the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have extended the new rule into next season, noting "the impact on player welfare is likely to continue into 2021".
Premier League clubs will hold a vote on Thursday to determine whether the proposal will be retained for 2020-21 in the English top flight, with the approval of 14 clubs needed to vote the rule through.
But certain clubs are wary that the shift benefits bigger clubs with greater squad depth and the Blues are among a number of sides in favour who fear the vote will go against them.
European president of the international players' union Fifpro, Bobby Barnes, said: "In the circumstances we feel that five substitutes has been a positive decision to protect the health and welfare of players."
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