Tottenham excludes Kulusevski, Mathys Tel and four others from Champions League squad
Tottenham Hotspur has announced its squad for the 2025/26 Champions League first phase, with coach Thomas Frank making several surprising omissions. Six players were left out, including Dejan Kulusevski and Mathys Tel, raising questions about the team’s strategy as it chases its first-ever European crown.
Key Absentees from Spurs’ List
The biggest surprise is Kulusevski, a consistent starter in recent seasons. The Swedish winger is recovering from a long-term injury suffered last season, and it remains uncertain if he will return before the end of the year.
Another omission is Mathys Tel, the 20-year-old French striker who joined from Bayern Munich this summer for nearly €30 million. Despite high expectations, Tel has struggled to adapt, scoring just 3 goals in 23 appearances so far.
Two experienced midfielders, Yves Bissouma and James Maddison, were also excluded. In defense, Radu Drăgușin missed the cut, while young Japanese talent Kota Takai was similarly left out.
Tottenham’s Registered Squad
Goalkeepers: Vicario, Kinsky, Austin
Defenders: Danso, Udogie, Romero, Porro, Spence, Davies, Micky van de Ven
Midfielders: Palhinha, Xavi Simons, Gray, Bergvall, Kudus, Johnson, Odobert, Sarr, Bentancur
Forwards: Richarlison, Solanke, Kolo Muani
Spurs’ Champions League Opponents
Tottenham’s group stage schedule looks manageable, with PSG their only true heavyweight opponent. Matches against Borussia Dortmund and Monaco could prove tricky, but the draw spared Spurs from facing Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Bayern Munich.
Their eight fixtures in the new Swiss format are:
- Borussia Dortmund (home)
- PSG (away)
- Villarreal (home)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (away)
- Slavia Prague (home)
- Bodø/Glimt (away)
- Copenhagen (home)
- Monaco (away)
