When Tottenham fans looked at the Champions League squad list, one name missing jumped out more than most—Mathys Tel.
The young forward, brought in for £30 million from Bayern Munich after a loan spell last season, was left out of the European squad despite high expectations following his arrival.
The Big Calls Made by Thomas Frank
Thomas Frank faced some tough decisions when putting together his 22-man squad for Europe.
The deadline-day signings of Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani added excitement to Spurs’ attack but also meant sacrifices had to be made elsewhere.
Both newcomers made the cut for the group stage, which kicks off with a home clash against Villarreal in just over a week.
The UEFA Quota Problem
The challenge for Spurs came down to UEFA’s strict rules on club-trained players.
Tottenham fell three short of the required four, which reduced their squad limit from 25 players to just 22.
That left Frank with little room to maneuver, especially since younger names like Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, and Kota Takai don’t meet UEFA’s eligibility standards and therefore had to be listed as senior squad players.
Injuries Shaping the Squad
Injuries also played a huge role in the final selections.
James Maddison, sidelined for most of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, was an easy omission.
Dejan Kulusevski and Radu Dragusin, however, were tougher calls.
Both are expected back later this year—Kulusevski around December and Dragusin possibly by late October—but Frank opted to leave them out to prevent any rush to play before they’re fully fit.
Bissouma’s Uncertain Future
Another big omission is Yves Bissouma, who hasn’t featured under Frank so far.
His absence from the squad may be a signal of things to come, as reports suggest he could still move to Fenerbahce with the Turkish transfer window open until next week.
Takai and the Expected Exclusion
Kota Takai, the 20-year-old defender signed from Kawasaki Frontale this summer, also misses out.
Having struggled with injuries during pre-season, his exclusion won’t come as a shock.
The Harshest Blow for Tel
For Tel, though, the decision will sting. The young striker seemed primed to take on a key role this season, but the late arrival of Kolo Muani has pushed him down the pecking order.
With both players favoring similar positions—either through the middle or cutting in from the left—the competition for minutes is fierce, and for now, Tel is the one paying the price.
Looking Ahead
It’s not all final, though. Tottenham will have another chance to update their squad list before the knockout rounds in February.
By then, players like Kulusevski and Dragusin could be back in action, and Tel might yet force his way back into Frank’s plans.