Who should Tottenham drop from Europa League squad? – opinion

Ange Postecoglou faces a crucial decision regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Europa League squad registration ahead of the knockout stages. Only three changes can be made to the squad, and with five strong contenders for those spots, who will be left out?

A tough decision awaits Tottenham’s Europa League journey

One of the key competitions Tottenham will focus on over the next few months is the Europa League.

With the knockout rounds just around the corner, the North London side is waiting to see who they will face in the round of sixteen, with potential opponents including Galatasaray, Real Sociedad, Midtjylland and AZ Alkmaar.

However, manager Ange Postecoglou has some big decisions to make when it comes to squad registration for this next phase of the competition. UEFA rules allow him to make just three changes to the Europa League squad for the knockout stages, a limitation that forces some tough calls.

Currently, Tottenham’s January signings Mathys Tel, Kevin Danso and Antonin Kinsky are not registered for the competition. Other notable players from within the squad, including Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilon, are also yet to be included.

With only three registration spots available, Postecoglou must carefully weigh his options and decide who will take those precious places.

Who makes the cut for Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League knockout registration?

The three available spots in Tottenham’s Europa League squad mean that at least two players from the pool of five will miss out. After assessing the needs of the squad and the situations surrounding each player, here is who we believe should be added.

Mathys Tel

The inclusion of Mathys Tel feels like a no-brainer. Given the effort Tottenham put into securing his services, it is clear that the manager expects him to play a significant role in the club’s success.

Tel’s versatility and knack for scoring goals could prove invaluable in the later stages of the Europa League, while Tottenham’s attack has looked exciting at times, it has also been inconsistent, and the hope is that Tel’s fresh approach will offer new ideas.

His ability to play across the front line makes him an easy choice for one of the three registration spots.

Kevin Danso

The decision to register Kevin Danso is equally straightforward, considering the injury crisis Tottenham have experienced this season.

Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Destiny Udogie have all missed significant portions of the campaign due to injury.

To make matters worse, Radu Dragusin recently suffered an unfortunate ACL injury that will keep him sidelined for the foreseeable future, Danso’s inclusion will help shore up the backline, and it is expected that he will be a direct swap for Dragusin in the Europa League squad.

Djed Spence

The final spot comes down to a choice between Djed Spence, Antonin Kinsky and Sergio Reguilon. While each has a case for inclusion, Djed Spence seems like the most logical pick.

With Guglielmo Vicario fit to play, Tottenham will unlikely need an additional goalkeeper in Kinsky. Meanwhile, it would be unfair to leave out the 24-year-old, for Sergio Reguilon after his recent upturn in form and performance.

Going with Djed on the other hand, offers more flexibility in rotation, particularly for Udogie. If Udogie is given most of the Premier League minutes, Spence can take on Europa League duties, ensuring both players stay fresh for midweek and weekend fixtures.

Who should miss out?

With three players selected, it is also necessary to decide who should be dropped from the current squad to make room. Based on Tottenham’s needs and form, these are the changes we would recommend.

Mathys Tel replaces Timo Werner, whose performances have been underwhelming and whose inclusion feels less essential given Tel’s arrival.

Kevin Danso takes the place of Radu Dragusin, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury. Lastly, Djed Spence replaces Fraser Forster, as the club is better served by adding full-back depth than a third-choice goalkeeper.

Unfortunately, this leaves Antonin Kinsky and Sergio Reguilon out of the squad. With only three spots available, Kinsky’s services are unnecessary given Vicario’s potential return to fitness.

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