Aksel Kryhlmand
UEFA’s stringent squad regulations are presenting a major hurdle as Spurs.
As Thomas Frank begins to shape his Tottenham Hotspur squad ahead of the 2025/26 season, one of his biggest challenges won’t just come on the training ground, it will come at the registration desk.
UEFA’s stringent squad regulations are presenting a major hurdle as Spurs look to strengthen for a campaign that includes Champions League football.
UEFA Constraints Put Pressure on Squad Management
Tottenham’s Europa League success last season secured a return to Europe’s top competition, but it has also exposed the club’s long-standing issue with “locally trained” players.
UEFA rules stipulate that each Champions League squad (List A) can only include 25 players, and eight of those must be locally trained. That number is further split into two groups: a maximum of four “association-trained” players (trained at another English club) and at least four “club-trained” players (on Tottenham’s books for three years between the ages of 15 and 21).
At present, Spurs only have one club-trained senior player eligible: goalkeeper Brandon Austin. With Alfie Whiteman now gone, this means Tottenham would only be able to name a 22-man List A squad unless they make changes, and that’s before new signings even come into play.
A Bloated Squad vs. a Shrinking Registration List
Tottenham’s current senior squad stands at 30 players when factoring in new arrivals like Kevin Danso, Mathys Tel, and Luka Vuskovic. UEFA’s registration rules allow only 17 non-locally trained players and four association-trained players, but Spurs currently have seven association-trained players fighting for those four slots. This tight squeeze forces Thomas Frank into difficult decisions about who stays, who goes, and who gets left out of European competition entirely.
This means exits, whether permanent or on loan, will be essential to allow for both compliance and meaningful squad evolution.
Look Home, Look Back
In a bid to fill the club-trained quota, Tottenham may consider bringing back former academy players. One such target is Kyle Walker-Peters, who is now a free agent following Southampton’s relegation.
At 28, with 200+ senior appearances and the ability to play on both flanks, Walker-Peters would tick the box as a club-trained player and add versatility. He’s also reportedly interested in a return to N17, though Spurs face competition from clubs like Everton and Wolves.
Another name under consideration is Dennis Cirkin, the 23-year-old left-back who helped Sunderland win promotion via the play-offs. With a year left on his contract and Spurs entitled to a sell-on percentage, he could be an economical and strategic addition, though a previous buy-back clause has expired.
However, more ambitious returns, such as Harry Kane from Bayern Munich, appear far less realistic. The likes of Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp, both of whom faced relegation with Leicester, may also be long shots for reintegration.
Main Targets Still in Sight
While this squad dilemma looms, Tottenham remain focused on headline additions. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa of Brentford, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo are all firmly on Spurs’ radar. But unless players are moved on, each arrival further complicates UEFA squad registration.
The club will also monitor the U21 and U19 European Championships, where young talents like Archie Gray and Mikey Moore are active. In 2026/27, such players could become eligible for the B-list, a loophole that allows clubs to register an unlimited number of U21 players trained for at least two years with the club.
Spurs Must Balance Quality With Quotas
Daniel Levy has made it clear that domestic and European success is the aim, and Thomas Frank will need every ounce of his managerial acumen to deliver both results and compliance. The message is simple, big names may win matches, but UEFA rules win squad lists.
With a summer tour, the UEFA Super Cup against PSG, and Premier League kick-off fast approaching, Tottenham’s transfer business must be shrewd, strategic, and squad-rule savvy.
