Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced their squad for the knockout stages of the Europa League, with Ange Postecoglou having to make a tough decision on which players to include.
Due to the club’s inability to meet the homegrown and club-trained player quota, not all eligible players could be named, forcing the manager to leave out one of the January arrivals.
This restriction had already affected the squad selection for the league phase, with Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon being omitted at that stage. Now, as the competition progresses, Postecoglou has had to make further adjustments to accommodate his best possible lineup.
Tottenham secured their place in the Europa League round of 16 without much difficulty, setting up a tie against one of Galatasaray, Real Sociedad, Midtjylland, or AZ Alkmaar.
With UEFA regulations allowing only three changes to the squad at this stage, Postecoglou had to choose carefully from a pool of players that included Spence, Reguilon, Antonin Kinsky, Mathys Tel, and Kevin Danso.
The final selection saw Spence, Tel, and Danso included in the squad, leaving Kinsky as the unfortunate omission. In making these changes, Tottenham also removed Fraser Forster, Radu Dragusin, and Timo Werner from the Europa League squad, meaning they will no longer participate in the competition this season.
The decision to leave out Kinsky appears logical given the other available options. Spence’s recent performances have made him undroppable, and both Tel and Danso provide significant value to the squad.
The choice to exclude Werner is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the squad selection. While the German forward has been a useful squad member, this move suggests that Postecoglou views him as little more than a backup option rather than a key figure in Tottenham’s Europa League campaign.
Postecoglou’s decisions reflect his tactical priorities as Spurs enter the knockout phase of the competition. The inclusion of Spence ensures depth in the full-back positions, while Tel offers an attacking spark that could prove vital in the later stages.
Danso’s presence strengthens the defensive line, adding stability as the team prepares to face tougher opponents. Meanwhile, Kinsky’s omission indicates confidence in the existing goalkeeping options, and Werner’s removal suggests a shift in attacking preferences.
As Tottenham advance in the tournament, squad depth will play a crucial role in their pursuit of European success. Postecoglou’s selections highlight his trust in certain players while making difficult choices about those left out.
Spurs fans will hope these decisions pay off as the team navigates the challenging road ahead, with their European aspirations hanging in the balance.
