Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed changes to their UEFA Champions League squad ahead of the knockout stages. The Lilywhites secured their place in the last 16 last month with a 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Deutsche Bank Park.
Three Players Added, Three Removed
Mathys Tel and Radu Dragusin have been registered for Europe’s premier competition, along with January signing Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid. They replace Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur, who are both nursing potentially season-ending injuries, and Brennan Johnson, who moved to Crystal Palace for £35million in January.
Dejan Kulusevski was also left out as he continues recovery from a knee injury suffered in May 2025.
Context of the Changes
Mathys Tel was omitted from the group phase squad due to UEFA rules limiting Tottenham to 22 players (instead of the maximum 25) because Brandon Austin was the only club-trained player in the first team. Thomas Frank called for UEFA to reconsider squad size rules in September, citing the increasing load on players and the need for bigger squads.
Frank said at the time: “I think that was an extremely difficult decision to make. It was a bit unfair. The UEFA Champions League lists are not big enough. We know the load on the players is getting bigger and bigger.”
The additions come at a crucial time. Cristian Romero went off ill at half-time in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City, Micky van de Ven missed that match with a knock, and Kevin Danso suffered a toe ligament injury against Frankfurt. This forced Frank to use midfielder Joao Palhinha at right centre-back in recent games.
Current Tottenham Champions League Squad (Knockout Phase)
Goalkeepers Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin
Defenders Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Pedro Porro, Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven
Midfielders Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Conor Gallagher, Pape Matar Sarr
Forwards Richarlison, Mathys Tel, Dominic Solanke, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Randal Kolo Muani
Player list A can be supplemented by young players on list B. These changes strengthen Tottenham’s options in defence and midfield as they prepare for the knockout rounds.
