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The post-pandemic football world has witnessed one particularly significant change - the introduction of five substitutes.
This new rule has enabled bigger squads to use their available players on the bench resulting in better results on the pitch. It has enabled fringe players with some much needed game time and has given manager access to more resources to for tactical changes as per any prevalent situation in a match.
Five best substitutes in world football now:
Manchester United and Manchester City have made the most use of the five-substitute rule - with both teams scoring a combined 20 goals after the 75th minute in the 2020/21 Premier League season.
United, who have been known to hit teams hard on the counter-attack, have scored 12 goals in the last 15 minutes of a game this season with the use of substitutes. The role of a super-sub is now more significant than ever. On that note, let's take a look at the five best substitutes in the game at the moment.
#5 Oliver Giroud
One of the best substitutes in the Premier League era, Oliver Giroud is also one of the highest-scoring substitutes in the competition.
The Frenchman has excelled in his role as a super-sub since his days at Arsenal. In the 2016-17 season, Giroud made 29 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, 18 of which were off the bench. The towering forward scored five goals in these 18 appearances; he has scored 20 career goals as a substitute.
Out of 27 appearances across all competitions this season, 14 of them have been from the bench. Surprisingly, all of Giroud's 11 league goals this season have come when he has started.
Despite his failure to score as a substitute this season, the Frenchman remains one of the Premier League's deadliest 'super-subs', scoring a goal every 94.6 minutes as a substitute.
#4 Leroy Sane
Leroy Sane is regarded as one of the finest young talents in world football. But he has failed to nail down a regular starting berth at Bayern Munich.
Current Bayern Munich manager, Hansi Flick, likes to use his compatriot as a super-sub. In 41 games across all competitions this season, Sane has made 15 appearances from the bench - reminiscent of his time at the Etihad.
While the former Manchester City player is one of the most explosive wingers going forward, there's much to be desired in the defensive side of his game, though. Most forwards have extensive defensive duties in modern football, but Sane never seems too keen on tracking back or pursuing one-on-ones.
However, Leroy Sane has shown glimpses of his extraordinary talent in his brief stint in Munich. The German international has eight goals and 11 assists to his name this season.
#3 Angel Rodriguez
La Liga's most underrated players in recent years - Angel Rodriguez - is a super-sub in the truest sense.
Rodriguez is Getafe's top scorer this season - with six goals across all competitions. In the 2019-20 season, the Spaniard made a massive impact from the bench - propelling Getafe to the top half of the La Liga table and a memorable run to the pre-quarterfinals of the Europa League.
With seven goals as a substitute last season, Rodriguez registered the most goals by a player off the bench in Europe's top-five leagues in 2019-20. Angel Rodriguez is arguably Los Azulones' most prized asset and has had strong rumoured interest from Barcelona earlier in the season.
Out of 30 appearances in La Liga this season, Rodriguez has started only 10 games. Making 20 appearances off the bench, he has five goals to show for his efforts. The Spaniard is Getafe's joint-highest goalscorer in the 2020-21 La Liga.
#2 Luis Muriel
Luis Muriel is one of Europe's most lethal super-subs. The Colombian has scored nine goals to break a 26-year old Serie A record for most goals by a substitute in a single season.
Since the turn of the year, Muriel has had joint-second goal involvements in Europe's top-five leagues, along with the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku.
The Colombian has been involved in 14 goals (eight goals, six assists) in the last three months and has played a significant role in Atalanta's devastating form this season. Muriel also has one of the best minute-per-goal ratios - with a goal every 65.5 minutes on the pitch.
The Colombian has also showcased his prowess in the limited starting appearances he has made, making only 15 Serie A appearances this season as a starter. Muriel has provided an exceptional return of 15 goals and seven assists from these starts.
#1 Edinson Cavani
It is impossible to make a list of the best substitutes in the world without mentioning one of Europe's most lethal strikers in the modern era - Edinson Cavani.
Cavani has been one of the best no. 9s in world football in the past decade and has continued his fine goalscoring form after his move to Manchester United. The Uruguayan was one of the first names on PSG's team sheet but adapted quickly to the role of a super-sub under Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
Edinson Cavani has scored four goals as a substitute in the Premier League this season, which is only one short of his manager's club record of five goals scored from the bench in the 1998-99 campaign.
In 33 appearances this season, Cavani has come on as a substitute 16 times. Earlier in the season, the Uruguayan became only the second Premier League player to record three or more goal involvements (two goals, one assist) after coming on a substitute - in United's memorable comeback win against Southampton.
