The EFL yesterday announced that from this season Championship clubs will be able to name nine substitutes on their respective benches, which will benefit Leeds United.
They confirmed via an official statement that the number would be increasing from seven to nine, matching that of the Premier League, though League One and Two will remain at seven.
This certainly makes a lot of sense with clubs able to make as many as five changes during any one match, with nine substitutes therefore giving managers more options at their disposal.
The decision has prompted contrasting views from different sets of supporters, but as far as Leeds are concerned, they should be pleased.
San Francisco 49ers Enterprises are looking to build a squad capable of pushing for an immediate promotion back to the Premier League, which will require plenty of investment.
Leeds to benefit from EFL announcement
But on top of the new signings that may come in, Leeds also have a number of youngsters ready to make their mark on the first team.
Leeds have spent plenty of money investing in academy recruitment over the last few years, and it is time now that starts paying dividends, with Crysencio Summerville the only one to really make the breakthrough as of yet.
Plenty of last season’s first team squad are likely to depart in the coming weeks and while players will come in to replace them, there are also plenty of youngsters who can do so too.
Examples include Charlie Cresswell, Cody Drameh, Joe Gelhardt, Leo Hjelde and Darko Gyabi, who are all capable of deputising in the Championship for the likes of Robin Koch, Rasmus Kristensen, Brenden Aaronson, Junior Firpo and Marc Roca.
In fact, it is only Gyabi from that group who does not have Championship experience under his belt, with the other four all having spent time on loan in that division last season.
When you add those to the senior players Leeds will keep, as well as the new signings coming in, they will undoubtedly have one of the strongest squads in the league.
A stronger squad will lead to a better bench, meaning whoever the new manager is, will have a plethora of options to change matches with substitutes, which several other teams may not have the luxury of.
That can only benefit Leeds, as late in matches when they are perhaps looking for a goal, they can introduce players from the bench without weakening the XI, potentially winning some crucial late points.
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