Eight Man City players set to benefit most from Premier League rule change Pep Guardiola supports

Pep Guardiola could be about to get what he's been wanting for two years as reports suggest Premier League clubs will vote to allow five substitutions in the top flight.

Manchester City, and their other Premier League rivals, were able to use five substutions during the 'Project Restart' fixtures in the summer of 2020 after the season was postponed due to the lockdown. When the delayed 2020/21 season got underway later that season, however, clubs couldn't agree to keep the five substitutions rule, so it reverted to three despite a congested fixture list.

Guardiola has regularly called for the use of those two extra substitution options in the last two seasons, with the option available to him in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Now, with other clubs seemingly persuaded to the idea, the notion is reportedly set to pass a vote among Premier League clubs to be introduced from next season. With that will come opportunities for eight City players.

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With just three changes available to Guardiola this season, the manager tends to turn to his senior players off the bench to freshen things up, or keep those players happy. Riyad Mahrez has been used most as a substitute in the Premier League this season with 10 appearances, followed by Fernandinho on seven, Raheem Sterling on six, and then five introductions each for Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus.

Guardiola hasn't always used the five substitutions available to him in the cups when he's had the chance, but he could give more game time to fringe players lower down the pecking order than the names he prefers this season.

For example, Nathan Ake could get more cameos