Milo, Gareth and Ram review the squad and decides who stays, who goes, who’s available at the right price and who gets loaned to Westerlo. We also discuss the weeks news including the interviews with Thomas Frank, Vinai Venkatesham and Daniel Levy and the signing of Mathys Tel.
Transfer Window
Tottenham’s Summer Transfer Window: Decoding the Squad Rule Challenge
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!
1 Week, 2 Cup Exits
Steff, Ram and Milo discuss our losses away at Aston Villa and Liverpool and review our January transfer window
26 Days Later
Steff, Milo, and Gareth just go there. We’re 26 days into the transfer window. What is going wrong at Tottenham Hotspur? Why is it going wrong? And what could put it right? We determine how many years AFTER Peep Show Callum Olusesi was born and visit Gareth’s 90s corner. Because this is where we are.
Ill Communication
Steff, Milo, and Ram celebrate TGIAG’s 4th birthday, reflect on our moral victory against Newcastle, deep dive into the current squad situation and what it means for potential January incomings, and we get our Kinsky boots on!
The January Transfer Window: A Tightrope Walk For Spurs
The January transfer window is always a nail-biting time for football fans, but for Spurs supporters, it’s even more so this year. With the squad in a rebuild and strict squad regulations in both the Premier League and European competitions, the club has to tread carefully. Will Ange Postecoglou be able to bring in the reinforcements he needs while navigating the complexities of homegrown player rules? Let’s delve into the numbers and see what our options are.
Decoding the Squad Rules
Both the Premier League and European competitions have specific rules dictating squad composition, and these limitations directly impact our transfer strategy. Let’s break them down:
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 locally trained players, divided into:
○ 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: Unlimited under-21 players are allowed, but they must have been at the club for two years to be eligible.
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.
This season, for the Premier League and European competitions, under-21 players will have been born on or after 1 January 2003.
Tottenham’s Current Squad: A Numbers Game
European Squad
Analysing Tottenham’s current European squad reveals a tight situation. Even with possible departures like Timo Werner, Fraser Forster or Richarlison the room for new signings is limited.
The homegrown player allocation for Europe poses a further challenge. Tottenham currently has two more association-trained players than permitted, which means both will be classified as non-homegrown. Consequently, we are already over our squad size restriction and were unable to register Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon in the first half of the season.
The injury to Destiny Udogie means that we will probably want to register Djed Spence for the second half of the season. Yang Min-hyeok joined the club officially in January, if we wanted to register him, he would count as a non-homegrown player, despite being 18, because he hasn’t been at the club for the 2 years needed to be counted as an under-21 player (B List).
We are allowed to make a maximum of 3 changes to our European squad between the league and knockout phases of the competition.
At Ange’s press conference ahead of the Newcastle game, he gave the following expected return dates for the injured players; Richarlison and Mikey Moore – early January, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies late January, Guglielmo Vicario late February.
We are at a 1 in, 1 out situation with our European squad. If Djed Spence is being added, we need to unregister someone to create the space and that leaves us with space for 2 further changes. Who do we drop to make space?
Premier League Squad
In the Premier League things are a tad easier with 3 free squad spaces, but would new players be willing to join us and only be included in the squad for domestic competitions?
In the Premier League Yang Min-hyeok qualifies as an under-21 player, so won’t need to take up a senior squad space.
Addressing the Needs, Navigating the Constraints
We have several areas requiring reinforcements: a goalkeeper, left-sided centreback, leftback cover, a defensive midfielder, a right-winger, and potentially a striker. However, the limited squad space necessitates a strategic and measured approach in the transfer market.
Looking Ahead: A Balancing Act
The January transfer window presents us with a challenge: balancing the need for immediate reinforcements with the long-term vision of squad building. Each signing must be carefully considered, taking into account both the immediate needs of the team and the limitations imposed by squad regulations. The current window will be less about a shopping spree and more about a calculated and precise approach to squad management.
Substitute
Steff, Milo, and Ram look back at the what’s been happening in the Euros, ponder how hirsute Southgate might or might not be, and enjoy a detailed deep dive into substitutes – how they’re perceived, how they’re used, and how the role is being redefined in the modern game. Oh, and Milo breaks out a new terrace chant!
Who Is Running Spurs Transfer Window?
Milo and Steff get into how the structure of our backroom staff has changed and what it means for transfer activities, we’ll take a peek at the Euros so far, and report back on the week that was for N17 related news.
Top Of The Flops
Steff and Milo discuss six Tottenham transfers that didn’t work out; Tanguy Ndombele, Roberto Soldado, Sergiy Rebrov, David Bentley, Paulinho, and Helder Postiga. Is it fair to label them ‘flops’? Are all transfers a gamble? Were there mitigating reasons why these transfers didn’t work out? All this and the latest news and transfer rumours.
Is There Too Much Football?
Steff, Milo, and Gareth tackle the topic of whether there’s too much football or not and what the related realities, implications and potential solutions are. We also look back at what has been a busy week in the Spurs world, as well as advocate for nipple awareness in the world of replica shirts.