David Moyes to be given more flexibility with West Ham squad and academy stars could benefit

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West Ham United boss David Moyes will be given more flexibility with his squad if and when football returns.

West Ham’s battle for survival remains in limbo.

The Premier League is currently in talks over a potential return to action – possibly in June – labelled Project Restart.

West Ham sit 16th, outside the relegation places on goal difference.

West Ham to have full squad if and when football returns

Moyes will have nine games to keep the Hammers in the top flight if football does return, like it has in South Korea and is set to in Spain and Italy too.

When West Ham are back in action Moyes is expected to have a fully fit squad to choose from. Even Jack Wilshere is now fit, given the length of time the game has been shutdown for.

And he will be given more flexibility with that squad it emerged yesterday.

That’s because West Ham and their rivals will be allowed to make five substitutions per match.

Rule change will allow Moyes to make five changes per game

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) have made a temporary amendment to football’s laws to ‘help managers cope’.

FIFA proposed the rule change to IFAB, which is responsible for the laws of the game.

And it has sanctioned the change as players are likely to be asked to play matches in a condensed period of time during the summer months.

For West Ham the change will be significant for the club’s clutch of hugely promising academy youngsters.

Moyes has made it clear he wants to build a new-look West Ham side around young, hungry players (whufc.com).

He told BBC Scotland’s Scottish football podcast this week that he hoped the global health crisis will result in more opportunities for young players.

Hammers boss to get his wish as youngsters stand to benefit

“I want us to see more young players coming through, I do want to see more home talent,” Moyes told BBC Scotland’s Scottish football podcast.

Now he will get his wish thanks to the IFAB changes.

Academy star Jeremy Ngakia has already established himself at right-back.

And some of the academy stars he left behind could now come into the picture with a realistic chances of first team game time.

Not only will those youngsters be coming into a less pressured environment with no crowds. They will also be the ones most adept to the conditions. Academy stars are well used to playing games in sterile environments with no or very few fans present.

While he will be able to make five changes during a game, Moyes will still only have three chances to do so.

Managers will be limited to three opportunities during matches to make their substitutions – as well as half-time – in a bid to prevent unnecessary stoppages (Sky Sports).