Tottenham face UEFA squad rule issue – Three former stars who could return
Tottenham Hotspur are back in the Champions League, and the allure of Europe’s elite competition is palpable around N17.
Behind the scenes, however, a significant squad headache is looming for Ange Postecoglou and the Spurs hierarchy.
UEFA’s stringent ‘club-trained’ player rules for the Champions League squad list, and Tottenham’s alarming shortfall in meeting them.
UEFA’s strict rules explained
According to UEFA’s official rules, for the Champions League ‘A list’ squad, clubs can register a maximum of 25 players.
Crucially, at least eight of these must be “locally trained” players. Within this eight, a minimum of four players must be “club-trained” (meaning they spent at least three seasons between the ages of 15 and 21 on the club’s books).
The remaining four “locally trained” slots can be filled by “association-trained” players (who spent at least three seasons between 15 and 21 at another club in the same national association)
As things stand, Tottenham Hotspur possess just one senior player over the age of 21 who qualifies as ‘club-trained’: goalkeeper Brandon Austin.
This means that if they fail to address this glaring deficit, Spurs would effectively be forced to submit a Champions League squad of just 22 players, leaving three valuable spots vacant.
In a competition where squad depth is paramount, this simply isn’t an option for a club with genuine aspirations.
While they can rely on their B-list for younger academy talents, the core ‘A list’ presents a massive challenge.
The immediate solution, therefore, lies in strategically signing players who qualify as ‘club-trained’, to help fill up their squad.
Kyle Walker-Peters
A prime example of a ‘club-trained’ player making a success story elsewhere, Kyle Walker-Peters, 28, is now a well-established Premier League full-back with Southampton.
He joined Tottenham’s academy in 2013 and meticulously worked his way up, making senior appearances before his move to the Saints in 2020.
His development from 15 to 21 years old was firmly within the Spurs system, securing his ‘club-trained’ status.
Walker-Peters not only brings top-flight experience and quality but also perfectly fits the homegrown criteria, making him an attractive option for Spurs should they look to bring back one of their own.
The English full-back is also available on a free transfer as his contract is set to expire at Southampton, so he could make a cheap option for Daniel Levy as well.
Troy Parrott
Striker Troy Parrott, 23, came through the ranks at Tottenham after joining the club in July 2017 at the age of 15.
His progression saw him sign his first professional contract on his 17th birthday and make his senior debut soon after.
He spent several seasons being developed by Tottenham during the crucial 15-21 age window, fulfilling the ‘club-trained’ player definition despite various loan spells to gain senior experience.
Despite only moving away from the club on a permanent basis last summer, Parrott could be a brilliant option that would not only fill the squad but also add a real goal threat.
Parrott scored 20 goals in all competitions last season, four of which were in the Europa League, which Spurs would go on to win.
| Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| AZ Alkmaar | 47 | 20 | 3 |
Harry Winks
Winks, now 28, is arguably the most prominent ‘club-trained’ player on this list to have truly established himself as a Premier League (and now Championship) regular after a significant career at Tottenham.
Having joined Spurs’ academy at the incredibly young age of five, Winks progressed through every single age group, becoming a senior mainstay and even representing England.
His long tenure at Tottenham during his formative years (from 15 to 21) means he unequivocally qualifies as ‘club-trained’.
Now a key figure at Leicester City, his pedigree and homegrown status are undeniable.