Claudio Ranieri argues case for increasing matchday squads
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has suggested the Premier League increase the numbers of players allowed in matchday squads to 22 so clubs can give more experience to young players.
In the Italian's homeland, Serie A sides are allowed to name 12 substitutes on their team sheets, while for competitive internationals a manager can pick subs from the full 23-man squad. In each case only three replacements are permitted and Ranieri proposed a move away from this.
The 63-year-old would welcome more choice when selecting substitutes and he believes a knock-on effect would see England manager Roy Hodgson presented with a much larger pool of players to choose from.
The Premier League increased the number of subs from five to seven for the 2008/09 season to bring the English top-flight into line with Champions League practice, but Ranieri would like 11 substitutes.
He said: "It happens in Serie A, why not England?
"It is a good opportunity for the young players. You would have an opportunity to put the 17-year-olds or 18-year-olds on the pitch.
"I could choose Joe Dodoo or Ben Chilwell and other young players.
"It is good for him, and it is also good for English football - 11 on the pitch, 11 on the bench. You pay 25 players. If the squad is 25 players, why only 18 go in the squad?
"The league here is very long, there are so many matches. I think we could improve on teams only having seven players on the bench. Why not 11? We can bring a lot of players to the bench and chose between them.
"Leicester has very good young players. It is important you can chose. If the squad is 25 players, why only 18 go in the squad? Twenty two could be better, in my opinion."
Ranieri's side will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season on Sunday when Midlands rivals Aston Villa visit the King Power Stadium.
Gokhan Inler could make his full Barclays Premier League debut. Leading scorer Riyad Mahrez was forced off against Bournemouth two weeks ago with a back injury but the winger proved his fitness by playing for Algeria during the international break.
New signing Nathan Dyer could be included in the squad against Villa but the best the on-loan Swansea winger can hope for is a place on the bench.
Idrissa Gueye is a doubt for Aston Villa after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Senegal.
Jack Grealish is also struggling with an ankle problem but boss Tim Sherwood hopes he can shake it off before Sunday's game at the King Power Stadium while Adama Traore (ankle) is a doubt.
Joleon Lescott could make his debut after joining from West Brom on transfer deadline day but new Liverpool loanee Tiago Ilori (lacking match fitness) and Jores Okore (knee) are out.
Sherwood has defended Gabby Agbonlahor and insisted he will be at Aston Villa for life.
The club's longest-serving current player has come under fire after struggling to make an impact.
Forward Agbonlahor has netted just four goals in his last 29 games and is under pressure to score more following the summer sale of Christian Benteke.
But Sherwood insisted the 28-year-old, who is yet to score this season, remains a key part of his plans.
"Gabby's an important part of this football club and I can't ever see him leaving," he said.
"He's spent more time out there training than anyone else this international break because he wants to improve himself.
"We're there to help him improve. He's been doing one-on-one extra finishing and working hard.
"The supporters see him when he's on the pitch but I see him every day helping the young guys out here. He's an important part of this club going forward.
"I've needed to add people like Joleon Lescott to the group to help those like Gabby and Clarky (Ciaran Clark).
"But he's got a massive part to play both on and off the pitch."
Source: PAR
