Why Tottenham were forced to name smaller squad for Europa League

Tottenham have left Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon out of their squad for the Europa League group stages.

Clubs had to submit their List A players by the end of Wednesday, with a maximum squad size of 25. This list is for the first phase of the competition, with it possible to make changes for the knockout stages.

However, while most clubs will name a full 25-man squad, UEFA regulations mean Ange Postecoglou will only have 23 to choose from.

Each club must name at least eight “locally-trained” players in their squad, which fall into two categories. 

‘Club-trained players' have been on the club's books for three full seasons or 36 months between the ages of 15 and 21. There are also 'association-trained players', who were registered to another club in the same association for three full seasons or 36 months between the same ages.

Of the mandatory eight locally-trained players, at least four must be club-trained.

UEFA rules state: “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.”

Djed Spence has been left out of the Tottenham squad (Getty Images)

Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman are the only two club-trained players named in Spurs’ squad, so they have only been able to include 23 players on their List A.

Spence and Reguilon have not made the cut, leaving Postecoglou short of defensive options should he wish to rotate during the group stages.

While clubs are allowed to register players born on or after 1 January 2003 on List B, they must have been able to play for the club for the last two years. Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall do not fall into that category, and have therefore been named on List A.

Tottenham begin their Europa League campaign at home to Qarabag, followed by a trip to take on Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar’s visit to north London.

Postecoglou’s side are then away to Galatasaray and Rangers, either side of a home clash with Roma, before rounding off their sit of fixtures by facing Hoffenheim and IF Elfsborg.

Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Fraser Forster, Brandon Austin, Alfie Whiteman

Defenders: Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Ben Davies, Micky van de Ven

Midfielders: Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Wilson Odobert, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur

Forwards: Son Heung-min, Richarlison, Timo Werner