‘It’s fair to say it will benefit them’ - Burnley boss Sean Dyche on the big six’s clamour to return to five substitutes

The EFL will return to allowing managers to make five changes from nine available options, as of Friday, with the Premier League the only major competition in Europe sticking with three from seven.

Thee has been growing pressure to go back to five, as clubs did during Project Restart, with Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard vocal in their support.

Dyche would prefer to stay with three, feeling five favours the elite clubs with the quality and quantity of squad depth they possess, but also understands the big six’s concerns, given the number of games they play, often going deep into cup competitions while also playing in Europe.

Dyche said: “For the big clubs who play lots of games, of course it’s useful.

”It gives them the ability to use players who are fresher and more ready, but of course it does favour the big clubs because if you are one of the superpowers they probably carry 20-plus international footballers, so they can use them more regularly.

”It will, in my opinion, help them over a season.

“For smaller clubs like ourselves, it’s detrimental slightly as if teams opposite us have 20-plus players who they can use, then it’s a positive for them and not so useful for us.

”As we’ve seen, we carry a small squad, we can’t afford the same quality as the big teams, and if you get injuries it becomes very difficult.

“The last few games, a number of the top managers have come out and said it, but haven’t used all their subs.

”They‘ve used maybe one in the 89th minute, so go figure.”

Asked which way he would vote, given the chance, Dyche added: “I’d give my view, if it was a vote – which it wouldn’t be – then I’d just explain why my view is that.

”I’d totally understand if I was on the other side of the fence.

”If I was the manager of one of the superpower clubs, of course I’d want five subs. Of course.

”If they are having a successful season, they play a lot more games, they play internationals more.

”I’m just speaking as a Burnley manager, our club with our resources.

”We run a tight squad and if we get the injuries – with all due respect to our young players, we can’t always throw five players on the pitch.

”If you’re throwing on five internationals, it’s fair to say it will benefit them.”