In a stunning turn of events that has left Tottenham fans reeling, Thomas Frank has made the controversial decision to exclude six high-profile players from his Champions League squad, with £35 million signing Mathys Tel leading the list of notable omissions. The French forward’s exclusion alongside James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Radu Dragusin, and Kota Takai has sparked intense debate among supporters as Spurs prepare for their return to Europe’s elite competition.
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The Mathys Tel Dilemma: Tottenham’s £35 Million Gamble
Mathys Tel’s exclusion from Tottenham’s Champions League squad represents the most surprising decision in Thomas Frank’s 22-man selection.
The 20-year-old French forward, who joined Spurs initially on loan from Bayern Munich in January before completing a permanent £35 million transfer this summer, finds himself on the outside looking in despite his significant price tag.
| Mathys Tel Transfer Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Move | Loan from Bayern Munich (January 2025) |
| Permanent Transfer | Summer 2025 for £35 million |
| Age | 20 years old |
| Position | Forward/Winger |
| Champions League Status | Excluded from squad |
The decision has been particularly controversial given Tel’s potential and the substantial investment Tottenham made to secure his services permanently. Many fans had expected the young French international to play a key role in Spurs’ Champions League campaign, making his omission all the more shocking.
Frank’s Rationale Behind Tel’s Exclusion
Sources close to the club suggest that Mathys Tel’s confidence has appeared fragile in recent weeks, particularly following his penalty miss in the UEFA Super Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain. The striker has struggled to fully settle into life at Tottenham since his initial loan spell, making just substitute appearances against PSG, Burnley, and Bournemouth without securing a first start under Frank.
Thomas Frank’s decision appears to prioritize players who have shown greater adaptation to his tactical system and demonstrated the mental resilience required for Champions League football. Tel’s exclusion sends a clear message about the manager’s expectations and standards, regardless of transfer fees or potential.
The Injury List: Maddison, Kulusevski, and Dragusin’s Absence
While Mathys Tel’s exclusion has dominated headlines, the absence of three injured players was more predictable, though no less significant for Tottenham’s European ambitions.
James Maddison: Season-Ending ACL Injury
James Maddison’s exclusion from the Champions League squad was inevitable following his anterior cruciate ligament rupture during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle.
The creative midfielder, who was expected to play a crucial role in Frank’s system, underwent surgery and faces a potential absence until April 2026.
Dejan Kulusevski: Long-Term Knee Problem
Swedish international Dejan Kulusevski remains sidelined with a patella injury that required surgery in May. Thomas Frank has been cautious about setting a return timeline, with late 2025 being the most optimistic projection. The versatile attacker’s absence removes a key creative outlet from Tottenham’s European campaign.
Radu Dragusin: ACL Recovery Continues
Romanian defender Radu Dragusin continues his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with his return still several months away. The center-back’s absence limits Frank’s defensive options in what promises to be a challenging Champions League campaign.
| Injured Players Status | Injury Type | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| James Maddison | ACL rupture | April 2026 |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Patella surgery | Late 2025 |
| Radu Dragusin | ACL injury | December 2025 |
Bissouma’s Disciplinary Exclusion
Perhaps the most telling omission after Mathys Tel is Yves Bissouma, whose absence from the Champions League squad appears to be both disciplinary and tactical. The Malian midfielder was dropped from the UEFA Super Cup squad due to persistent lateness and has not featured in any competitive fixtures under Frank this season.
Bissouma’s exclusion could signal the end of his Tottenham career, with the Turkish transfer window remaining open until September 12, providing a potential exit route. Galatasaray were reportedly interested in the midfielder, though no move materialized before the English transfer deadline.
Takai’s Injury Setback
Japanese defender Kota Takai, who joined Tottenham from Kawasaki Frontale during the summer transfer window, has been ruled out due to a foot injury sustained early in his tenure. The 20-year-old’s promising start to life in North London has been curtailed by the injury, forcing Frank to look elsewhere for defensive depth.
Frank’s Champions League Squad: The 22 Who Made the Cut
Thomas Frank’s final Champions League squad reflects his priorities and tactical preferences for Europe’s premier competition. New signings Mohammed Kudus, Joao Palhinha, Xavi Simons, and deadline day arrival Randal Kolo Muani have all been included, demonstrating Frank’s faith in his summer reinforcements.
Squad Breakdown by Position
Goalkeepers: Guglielmo Vicario, Antonin Kinsky, Brandon Austin
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Destiny Udogie, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies, Djed Spence, Archie Gray
Midfielders: Rodrigo Bentancur, Joao Palhinha, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, Xavi Simons, Brennan Johnson
Forwards: Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani, Wilson Odobert
The inclusion of 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall and other young talents alongside experienced campaigners reflects Frank’s approach to squad building for the Champions League challenge ahead.
UEFA Regulations and Homegrown Requirements
Tottenham’s squad selection has been complicated by UEFA’s homegrown player requirements, which mandate that at least eight players in the 25-man A-List must be locally trained. This regulation has influenced several of Frank’s decisions, particularly the inclusion of Brandon Austin as third goalkeeper due to his homegrown status.
The club’s limited homegrown options have forced Frank to make difficult choices, with some suggesting that Brandon Austin’s inclusion over potentially more impactful players like Mathys Tel or Yves Bissouma was driven by necessity rather than purely footballing considerations.
Champions League Challenge Ahead
Tottenham face a formidable task in the Champions League league phase, having been drawn against Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Villarreal, Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Bodø/Glimt, Copenhagen, and Monaco. Frank’s squad selections will be tested against this challenging roster of opponents.
The absence of creative players like Maddison and Kulusevski places additional pressure on new signings Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus to deliver immediately. Meanwhile, the exclusion of Mathys Tel removes a potentially game-changing option from the bench.
January Transfer Window Opportunities
While the current exclusions may seem final, UEFA regulations allow clubs to make changes to their Champions League squads for the knockout stages after the January transfer window. This provides Frank with flexibility to potentially include currently excluded players like Mathys Tel if circumstances change.
For the French forward, the next few months will be crucial in proving his worth to Frank and earning inclusion in any revised squad for the knockout rounds, assuming Tottenham progress from the league phase.
FAQs
Why was Mathys Tel excluded from Tottenham’s Champions League squad?
Mathys Tel was excluded despite his £35 million transfer fee due to concerns about his confidence and adaptation to Thomas Frank’s system. He has struggled to secure a starting position and appeared fragile after missing a penalty in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Which other players were left out of Tottenham’s Champions League squad?
Alongside Mathys Tel, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Radu Dragusin (all injured), Yves Bissouma (disciplinary reasons), and Kota Takai (injured) were excluded from the 22-man squad.
Can excluded players be added to the squad later?
Yes, UEFA allows clubs to make changes to their Champions League squads for the knockout stages after the January transfer window, provided they progress from the league phase.
What injuries are keeping Maddison and Kulusevski out?
James Maddison is recovering from an ACL rupture sustained in pre-season and may not return until April 2026. Dejan Kulusevski is recovering from patella surgery and isn’t expected back until late 2025.
How have Tottenham fans reacted to these squad exclusions?
Fans have expressed shock and criticism, particularly regarding Mathys Tel’s exclusion. Many question the logic of spending £35 million on a player only to leave him out of the Champions League squad.
