Kieran Maguire: Man City set for ‘massive’ financial ‘advantage’ after law change
Man City will have a “massive advantage” under a new rule change because of their financial muscle.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about IFAB’s latest shake-up of the Laws of the Game.
As reported by The Times on 28 October, IFAB is set to make permanent the temporary rule which allows teams to make up to five substitutions.
The Premier League is expected to come under pressure to follow other top European leagues in moving from three to five changes.
Figures published by the CIES Football Observatory show that City have the most expensive squad in world football.
Maguire insists that their depth will give the Premier League champions an edge if the law is introduced on these shores.
He told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams: “Larger clubs tend to have a bigger squad of players who can slot into position.
“The likes of City can afford to buy two players for every position. That makes them more interchangeable.
“There are some small clubs that are desperate for five subs, however. It depends on the manager, sometimes.
“Those clubs that have managers who like tactical changes and have players that can implement them will benefit.
“City have the edge financially in that they can afford to bring on five substitutes who are worth £50million-plus.
“They have a massive advantage over teams whose fringe players are in the £1m to £5m bracket.“
In other news, injury expert claims Raheem Sterling may have picked up “unusual” injury at home after Man City update.