Jump directly to the content
Feature
Must be the Pep talk

Manchester City have been most successful with their substitutions this season… but Tottenham’s 51 replacements have scored just once this term

Pep Guardiola's inspired switches have led to a league-high seven goals from 52 subs, with Man United also netted seven

Sponsored by

ANY football manager worth their salt needs to be able to read the game and react according to the flow of the game.

With that in mind, substitutions are arguably the deadliest weapon at a boss' disposal to make tactical changes on the fly.

Man City have scored seven goals this season from the subs' bench
5
Man City have scored seven goals this season from the subs' benchCredit: AP:Associated Press

But clearly, some managers are better at the art of subbing than others...

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been led his squad to a blistering start to the season - both in the league and in Europe.

While some sides have been brushed aside with ease, occasionally the Spaniard has been forced to ring the changes in order to snatch a late winner.

And no boss has been more successful with his subs than Pep, who's seen his 52 2017-18 replacements score seven times.

Pep Guardiola has seen his subs score seven times already this season
5
Pep Guardiola has seen his subs score seven times already this seasonCredit: Getty
5

Rivals Manchester United are the only other team to reach the seven-goal tally, with Jose Mourinho making 54 subs to reach the mark.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has performed admirably too, with his 49 swaps reporting six goals already this season.


MOAN UNITED Moaning Manchester United complain about festive fixture pile-up… with fans tearing into them on Twitter


Four teams have mustered four goals from the bench... but Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has endured a tough season.

While Spurs have very good strength in depth, their bench-men have scored just ONCE - from 51 replacements.

Full Friday Premier League preview featuring Arsenal v Liverpool
Tottenham have managed just one goal off the bench in 2017-18
5
Tottenham have managed just one goal off the bench in 2017-18Credit: Jamie McPhilimey - The Sun
Full Saturday Premier League preview including Leicester v Man Utd and Man City v Bournemouth
Mauricio Pochettino has failed to inspire his replacements to find the net
5
Mauricio Pochettino has failed to inspire his replacements to find the netCredit: PA:Press Association

Only three teams have failed to score using subs, with Brighton, Leicester and Bournemouth all drawing a blank.

Huddersfield and Swansea are the only other teams to have managed just one sub goal, with Newcastle and Southampton on two.

Meanwhile, four teams, including Liverpool and West Ham have mustered a trio of bench goals in 2017-18 so far.

Topics