Most Unique Football Substitutions

As speculation continues to rumble on around changes to the substitution rule in football following the Covid-19 pandemic, many leagues have opted for five substitutions to be allowed rather than the usual three. This however is not the case across all leagues; within England, the Premier League decided to remain with three against the proclamations of many managers, while the domestic competitions run by the FA opted for five. While there are many benefits to five substitutions - such as the ability to provide more opportunities for inexperienced players to gain first-team minutes and the ability to rotate a squad on a more flexible basis - it also presents more creative opportunities. Recently, managers making changes in the goalkeeping department mid-match have been on the rise, something previously scarcely seen. With extra substitutions, the door opens for managers to take more unique action when looking for fine margins to make the difference in victory and defeat. Goalkeepers Centre of Attention Manchester City - David James On the final day of the 2004/05 season, Stuart Pearce’s Manchester City side were looking to secure UEFA Cup qualification, and £5 million striker Jon Macken was sat on the bench with the Manchester side trailing by one goal going into the latter stages of the match. Yet, it was not Macken who Pearce would turn to for inspiration. Goalkeeper David James, who was already in possession of a premeditated outfield No.1 shirt, was sent on and headed up to the opposite end of the pitch alongside Robbie Fowler. As premeditated it may have been, the Man City players would likely have been wondering what was going on as they watched their goalkeeper join them upfront. However, Stuart Pearce’s decision almost paid off, with James being involved in a last-gasp foul following a Middlesborough handball which his movement in the penalty box contributed to. It was not to be the fairytale ending for Stuart Pearce and David James, however, as Robbie Fowler was to see his penalty attempt saved by Mark Schwarzer in the ‘Boro goal. Despite being considered by Pep as good enough to play in Midfield, can ‘keeper Ederson guide Manchester City to yet another Premier League title? Bet £10 with Bet365 and receive £50 in Free Bets. Chelsea - Kepa Arrizabalaga Back in the 2019 Carabao Cup final, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made sensational headlines as he refused to be substituted when then-manager Maurizio Sarri attempted to make a change between the sticks to bring on substitute ‘keeper Willy Caballero. Concerned about Kepa’s physical condition, with the player appearing to have been suffering from cramp, manager Sarri called for Kepa to be substituted ahead of the looming penalty shoot-out. Kepa refused to be substituted and insisted he remained on the pitch, leading to several minutes of altercation between bench and Goalkeeper. Kepa eventually remained on the pitch and would save one penalty in the shoot-out, but this would not be enough for his team to win the trophy. Chelsea lost 4-3 on penalties to Manchester City who then went on to win the competition. Kepa would later admit that the confusion that surrounded his substitution was in fact due to him not being injured at all in the first place. The Chelsea bench were primarily concerned about the possibility of Kepa having cramp, however, the goalkeeper himself claims that there was no injury in the first place and that he was feigning injury to waste time to get his team to the penalty shoot-out. Chelsea - Kepa ‘Another-polava’! Whilst Kepa had refused to be subbed under Sarri, ironically, it was his turn to be subbed on for a Carabao Cup final shoot-out under current manager Thomas Tuchel at the weekend. A goalless draw at the end of extra time saw Tuchel make a tactical change in removing Edouard Mendy, who had been pivotal in keeping his side in the tie with an excellent performance, for Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of the penalty shoot-out. In amongst the Chelsea fans' confusion at the substitution given Mendy’s performance, an opportunity was presented for Kepa to repay his 2019 woes. Redemption was unfortunately not to come for Kepa as once again he found himself the centre of attention following a thrilling penalty shoot-out. Unbelievably, 21 consecutive penalties were scored across both teams, leaving the tie at 11-10 in Liverpool’s favour with both goalkeepers called upon to take a penalty. Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher coolly scored his penalty leaving the pressure mounted upon Kepa once again. Sadly for Kepa, he would see his penalty blaze well over the bar and was once again the perceived culprit in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup misfortunes. Chelsea to bounce back from goalkeeping nightmare with a clean sheet? Bet £10 on Chelsea to win to nil, and receive £50 in Free Bets. Netherlands - Tim Krul Thomas Tuchel’s pre-penalties substitution was not the first time a keeper has been subbed ahead of a crucial penalty shoot-out. In the 2014 Brazil World Cup, Netherlands and Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen was substituted by maverick national team manager Louis van Gaal for Newcastle’s Tim Krul ahead of their Quarter-Final penalty shoot-out. It was a move relatively unprecedented at the time - however, with Cillessen having never saved a penalty in his senior career, the decision was made to bring on Krul. Unlike Kepa for Chelsea, Tim Krul ensured the trust put in him was repaid as he went on to save two penalties in the shoot-out to help guide his Dutch side safely into the Semi-Finals. With all game to prepare and study which direction each opposition penalty taker was likely to choose, along with a series of attempts at mind games before each penalty, Tim Krul was the Quarter-Final hero come the end of the tie. An unhappy Cillessen was to be trusted in the Semi-Finals once again as the Netherlands faced Argentina - a tie that again headed to penalties. Cillessen was not substituted this time around and Tim Krul was not called upon by van Gaal, however, the Dutch side would crash out of the competition after Cillessen failed to save a single penalty. Back the Netherlands in this World Cup year with bet365 and receive £50 in Free Bets when you bet £10.

Most Unique Football Substitutions

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Most Unique Football Substitutions

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“One of Dutch football’s brightest hopes”: Why Ajax midfielder Victoria Pelova could be one to watch at Euro 2022 – scout report

Cecilia Prugna 2021/2022: What the Empoli player needs to improve to go to the next level – scout report

Cecilia Prugna 2021/2022: What the Empoli player needs to improve to go to the next level - scout report

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