5 Awesome 'Money in the Bank' Scenarios in World Football
I won’t pretend to know about wrestling.
I’ve never been attracted to any derivative of the WWE, but that does not mean events outside of my interest cannot inspire thoughts about things that I am interested in.
Football is the sport I know best, and after seeing the WWE’s “Money in the Bank”—which, to the best of my knowledge, gives its winner an express contract to a title match—I've explored what rewards football might give winners of a “Money in the Bank” football match.
Some of these are impossible, as the rules of football are rather stringent, but if you have any other suggestions feel free to put them in the comments section.
Unlimited Substitutions
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Starting with the most likely option and working our way down, extending options on the bench over one's opponents would be a great advantage.
As it stands only three substitutes are allowed entry in the majority of competitive football, but there are seven available options for managers. Were one team allowed to swap seven or more players, that club would have a sizable advantage over its opponent.
In many North American sports (NBA, NHL, NFL, etc.) there are no limits on substitutions—allowing coaches to tinker personnel and tire their opposition. Also, considering football has no timeouts, I would suspect having the capability to swap a compete side would be coveted.
Buy a Player Outside of the Transfer Window
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Often, injuries plague seasons. Imagine your club being able to buy players outside of the summer and winter transfer windows—it could come in handy.
I do wonder, however: Suppose a player is bought and sold for £30 million, would the selling club have permission to buy another player for a similar amount? That kind of takes away the advantage, so probably not.
Nevertheless, from September through December and February through May having the ability to buy a key player while others are limited seems an interesting scenario.
Play a Game with 12 Men
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So, you win a “Money in the Bank” football match, and your reward: In your next competitive fixture—you get an extra man.
We are used to the idea of an extra man when 10 men play 11 men, but the formational advantages with 12 men to start would be vast. One could play three strikers up top or employ a back six without losing attacking thrust.
Also, if a player gets sent off—the sides would be even.
I could honestly see Sepp Blatter, in his last day as FIFA president, try to pull this one off.
Start Two Goalkeepers
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Petr Cech, according to the Independent’s Jack de Menezes, is likely on his way to Arsenal. Suppose Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho had the ability to play both the 33-year-old veteran and Thibaut Courtois, at the same time.
It's fair to assume the Blues would never concede.
Similarly, were Granada playing Real Madrid, instead of playing 10 outfielders and losing 9-1, they could have played nine outfielders and played their two best goalkeepers.
If you can play with two strikers, why not pencil in a couple of keepers?
Bench Your Opponent's Star Man
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In possibly our most intriguing scenario, the reward for winning a “Money in the Bank” match in football could be looking through the opposing side's teamsheet and removing a player from the starting lineup.
Juventus, for example, could have looked at Luis Enrique’s starting XI before the 2015 Champions League final and elected Lionel Messi as ineligible. The planet would have gone into meltdown, but at the same time, the underlying strategy would be fascinating.
I must admit, though, if I paid my money to watch a game and my favourite footballer was eliminated from contention, I’d be rather angry. It would make a win, overcoming the odds, feel even better.
