Tottenham Champions League Squad Set for Expansion

Tottenham Hotspur are pressuring UEFA to permit bigger Champion League teams. This season the club was forced to make a difficult choice twice. Thomas Frank was forced to leave Mathys Tel out of the squad.

Tel has just signed to Spurs last summer in PS30 million deal. He was omitted prior to the victory of 2-0 over Borussia Dortmund. This ruling gave Dominic Solanke an opportunity to resume following an injury.

The French forward who is 20 years old is also not available in the last league stage match at Eintracht Frankfurt. A victory there would see Tottenham reach the last 16.

Tel has not been included before this season because Tottenham lacked sufficient local players. The rules of UEFA do not allow more than 25 players per squad, and a club should possess a minimum of eight homegrown players. In December Frank had been granted a temporary reprieve by injuries.

Frank now has Solanke back in good health and he has to decide between the two forwards during the remaining league games. The current rules are outdated as argued by Tottenham. The rules were implemented nearly 2 decades ago.

The new Swiss model league stage has included additional games to all clubs. At least two additional games are played in a season by teams. Those clubs that do not qualify to the top eight have to compete in another two games in play-offs to reach the 16. Tottenham claim the additional program puts players under stress.

The Spurs have been experiencing long term injury issues under Frank and the former manager Ange Postecoglou. Another issue that is of concern to the club is the welfare of the players as the number of matches increase.

Johan Lange, the sporting director has addressed the matter with other Premier League teams. Arsenal and Chelsea are accommodative. Nevertheless, there are a lot of European competitors who are against changes. They are afraid that it would create an unequal advantage to English clubs.

There are five English clubs within the top eight in advance of the end round of games. The group is full of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The automatic qualification can also be achieved by Manchester City, a win against Galatasaray and good performances in other matches.

Tottenham are hoping that UEFA can hear their offer. Having more players in the Champions League team would relieve them of pressure. It would also enable the clubs to deal with injuries in a more effective manner and be competitive in Europe.