Tottenham submits 23-player Europa League squad amid UEFA rules

Tottenham has submitted a 23-player squad for the Europa League, falling short of the 25-player limit set by UEFA. This decision stems from a specific UEFA ruling that requires clubs to include a minimum of eight 'locally-trained' players in their squad. Tottenham's squad includes only two such players, Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman, which has led to the exclusion of notable defenders Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon. The absence of these players raises concerns for manager Ange Postecoglou, particularly regarding defensive depth in the event of injuries. The club's submission is only for the initial league phase of the competition, allowing for potential changes if they progress to the knockout stages. Competing clubs had until Wednesday to finalize their rosters, and Tottenham's situation mirrors that of Chelsea, who also did not utilize the full quota of players in their respective European competition. Under UEFA regulations, players are categorized as 'club-trained' or 'association-trained' based on their training history. The requirement for locally-trained players is designed to promote the development of homegrown talent within clubs. Tottenham's failure to meet the necessary criteria has resulted in a smaller squad, which could impact their performance in the tournament. Tottenham will begin their Europa League campaign with a home match against Qarabag FK on September 26, followed by an away game against Ferencvarosi TC in Hungary. The club's decision to submit a reduced squad may have strategic implications as they navigate the early stages of the competition.