Squad Review

The summer transfer window is open, and for Tottenham Hotspur, it’s not just about finding the best talent; it’s a complex balancing act dictated by strict squad regulations in both the Premier League and European competitions. As the club continues its squad rebuild, the investment in youth hasn’t yet delivered a bountiful supply of club-trained players, adding another layer of difficulty. So, how will Thomas Frank and Johan Lange manage to bring in the much-needed reinforcements while adhering to these intricate rules? Let’s dive in!

Decoding the Squad Rules

Both the Premier League and European competitions impose specific rules on squad composition, directly influencing Tottenham’s transfer strategy. Understanding these is key to grasping the challenge ahead:

European Squad Rules:

• Non-Homegrown Players: A maximum of 17 non-homegrown players are permitted in the squad.
• Homegrown Players: 8 spots are reserved for homegrown players, which are further divided into two categories:
  • Club-trained: 4 players who have been with the club for three seasons before their 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which they turn 21).
  • Association-trained: 4 players who have been registered with any club affiliated with The Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for three seasons before turning 21 (or the end of the season during which they turn 21).
• Under-21 Players: There’s an unlimited allowance for under-21 players, but they must have been at the club for two years to be eligible for the squad.
• For this season, under-21 players are defined as those born on or after 1 January 2004.

Premier League Squad Rules:

• Non-Homegrown Players: The Premier League allows 17 non-homegrown players in a 25-man squad.
• Homegrown Players: 8 spots are allocated for homegrown players, with the same definition as “association-trained” players in European competitions.
• Under-21 Players: The number of under-21 players is unrestricted.
• For this season, under-21 players are defined as those born on or after 1 January 2004.

Tottenham’s Current Squad: A Numbers Game and a Tight Squeeze!

Analysing Tottenham’s current squad reveals a particularly tight situation. Even with Timo Werner, Fraser Forster, and Alfie Whiteman having left, and the expected departures of Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil, and Alejo Veliz, the room for new signings is quite limited.

European Squad Challenges

The homegrown player allocation for Europe poses a significant hurdle. Tottenham currently has two more association-trained players than permitted. This means these two players will be reclassified as non-homegrown, pushing the club over its squad size restriction. Consequently, Tottenham will need to leave two players out of their European squad before any new players even come in.

Premier League Squad

Things are “a tad easier” in the Premier League, where the club currently has 5 free squad spaces. The reason for this is that the Premier League does not require players to be with a club for two years to qualify for the Under 21 list, so players like Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Mathys Tel do not need to be included in the senior squad. However, a key question remains: would new players be willing to join if their inclusion was limited to domestic competitions only?

Addressing Needs, Navigating Constraints

The club has several areas that urgently need reinforcement: a left-sided centre-back, left-back cover, a defensive midfielder, a playmaker, and potentially a striker. However, with the extremely limited squad space, Tottenham must adopt a highly strategic and measured approach in the transfer market.

Some recent contract decisions have helped alleviate immediate concerns; Fraser Forster, Timo Werner, and Alfie Whiteman have departed, while Son Heung-min and Ben Davies have extended their contracts until the summer of 2026. However, Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur’s contracts are set to expire next summer, suggesting a likely sale of one (probably Bissouma) and an extension for the other to protect player value and avoid losing two key peak-age midfielders in one window.

The club’s conscious decision to focus signings on young players has created a really exciting squad, but one that is short on experience. Only 11 players are currently in their peak years, with the likelihood that several of these could be sold this summer. Ange Postecoglou had previously spoken of the need to add experience to the squad to help it cope with the extra rigours of the Champions League. It will be interesting to see whether Thomas Frank agrees with this assessment and if the club will deviate from its approach of the last few summers of signing one experienced player, with the bulk of signings being “for the future”.

Final Thoughts

Tottenham’s summer transfer window is shaping up to be a complex strategic game, far more than just signing new talent. Navigating the intricate squad rules, especially in Europe, while addressing key positional needs and balancing youth with much-needed experience, will be the ultimate test for Thomas Frank and Johan Lange. It’s a delicate balancing act, and every decision will be crucial for the season ahead!