Six stars absent as Tottenham Hotspur confirm UEFA Champions League squad | OneFootball

Spurs confirm Champions League squad with key absentees

Frank’s statement through squad selection

Tottenham have confirmed their 22-man squad for the Champions League league phase, and it speaks volumes about the current state of the squad and Thomas Frank’s outlook. The omissions are as telling as the inclusions, with six notable players missing out on the list submitted to UEFA.

Photo IMAGO

UEFA rules stipulate that each squad must contain at least eight locally-trained players, with four of those having come through the club’s own system. Spurs faced a difficult challenge meeting these requirements and it has forced tough decisions. The governing body is clear: “If a club has fewer than eight locally trained players on its List A, the maximum number of players that can be registered on this list is reduced accordingly.”

High-profile omissions

The biggest surprise is the exclusion of James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski. Both players are currently recovering from serious knee injuries and Frank appears unwilling to risk places on those still sidelined. Radu Dragusin, also omitted, is on the road back from an ACL injury.

Photo IMAGO

Yves Bissouma, left out of the UEFA Super Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain last month due to persistent lateness, is again overlooked. His future remains uncertain after reported interest from Galatasaray failed to materialise. Mathys Tel and new signing Kota Takai complete the list of players left out, with Takai sidelined since pre-season with an ankle injury.

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Summer recruits included

While some names miss out, others underline Spurs’ ambition. Recent recruits Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani make the cut, along with Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha. Their presence demonstrates Tottenham’s intent to make a serious push in Europe this season.

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Group stage challenges ahead

Spurs begin their Champions League campaign at home against Villarreal before testing away fixtures at Bodo/Glimt and Monaco. November sees Copenhagen visit North London, before what could be the defining group fixture away at Paris Saint-Germain on November 26. Frank’s side will then face Slavia Prague and Borussia Dortmund before concluding with a trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.

This is a group designed to challenge Tottenham’s depth, and with six absentees it is clear that Frank has prioritised fitness and discipline over sentiment. The squad may look lean, but there is little doubt that the additions of Simons, Kudus, Palhinha and Kolo Muani add both creativity and steel.

Photo: IMAGO

Spurs Champions League squad: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin; Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso; Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur; Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Randal Kolo Muani.