Tottenham Hotspur are set to compete in the Europa League this season, a much-welcome return to European action after missing out in 2023/24.
However, one decision made by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou relating to the competition has caused some controversy.
The decision in question is that Tottenham defender Djed Spence is not in the Europa League squad for the group stage, despite his impressive pre-season.
In addition, Spurs’ Europa League selection only has 23 players instead of the 25-man limit.
This is because of the rules around Europa League squads, which stipulate that a 25-man squad must have four homegrown players.
Alasdair Gold, speaking on the Gold & Guest podcast, has now discussed the “ridiculous” situation which has led Tottenham to this point.
Alasdair Gold not impressed with Tottenham’s lack of homegrown players
Gold noted how Spurs’ “poor squad management” has led to them not having enough homegrown players to compose a full Europa League squad.
In the Premier League, a player under the age of 21 does not have to be in the registered squad.
However, UEFA rules say Under-21 players must have been at the club for at least two years to qualify.
Spence does not fall into that category and as a result was omitted from the squad as Ange Postecoglou went for Fraser Forster instead.
In addition, Tottenham only have Brandon Austin and Alfie Whiteman as homegrown players, and both are goalkeepers.
Gold said: “Spurs stuffing themselves completely by poor squad management, really, over the years of just not having any now outfield senior club-trained players in their squad, which is a ridiculous situation to get yourself in.”
Later on, Gold said: “Jose Mourinho pointed out a few years back, didn’t he? He said there was this gap in the players coming through from the academy.
“He was looking down at that point. It was to the likes of Alfie Devine and Dane Scarlett back then who were like, I think they were both sixteen at the time.
“He was saying there was no little kind of middle section coming through. And he’s been proved absolutely right because no one’s come through to fill that void.”
Who do Tottenham play first in the Europa League?
Spurs will host Azeri club Qarabag FK at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday 26 September, 8pm kick-off.
Postecoglou’s charges have three games – in two different competitions – before they get under way in European club action.
They host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday 15 September, then head to Coventry City in the League Cup on Wednesday 18 September, and then host Brentford in the league on Saturday 21 September.
